EGUS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EGUS (Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EGUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Growth Extended ESG Focus Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EGUS returned 26.92%/yr vs 22.35%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EGUS charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

EGUS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF (EGUS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EGUS achieves a 12.08% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

EGUS

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 8.21%
• YTD: 12.08%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 32.26%
• 3Y*: 26.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EGUS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EGUS Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF	12.08%	19.02%	32.85%	27.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	15.78%

Correlation

The correlation between EGUS and SPY is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2023	0.93

The correlation between EGUS and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

EGUS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EGUS	SPY
Technology	59.1%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	10.3%
Industrials	6.8%	7.8%
Communication Services	6.6%	11.3%
Healthcare	5.9%	8.4%
Financial Services	4.3%	11.8%
Real Estate	1.3%	1.9%
Energy	1.1%	3.6%
Basic Materials	0.7%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	4.8%
Utilities	0.2%	2.4%

Return for Risk

EGUS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EGUS

EGUS Risk / Return Rank: 51
EGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
EGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
EGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
EGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
EGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EGUS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF (EGUS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	EGUS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.38	-0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	3.24	-0.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	3.16	-1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.03	14.72	-7.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EGUS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EGUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EGUS and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EGUS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.38	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	0.59	+0.86

Drawdowns

EGUS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EGUS drawdown since its inception was -24.87%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EGUS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EGUS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.87%	-55.19%	+30.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.66%	-8.88%	-6.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.87%	-18.76%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-0.70%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-9.05%	+5.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	1.91%	+2.69%

Volatility

EGUS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF (EGUS) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that EGUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EGUS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	2.84%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.67%	8.90%	+3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.34%	11.83%	+4.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.15%	17.05%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.15%	17.94%	+1.21%

EGUS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EGUS has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EGUS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

EGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EGUS Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Growth ETF	0.19%	0.22%	0.25%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EGUS and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EGUS and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EGUS or SPY?

EGUS has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EGUS dropped -24.87% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, EGUS or SPY?

On 3-year performance, EGUS leads with 26.92% vs 22.35% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EGUS or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, EGUS has performed better with a 26.92% return vs 22.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EGUS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for EGUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EGUS or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.19% for EGUS.

What is the main difference between EGUS and SPY?

EGUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. EGUS tracks MSCI USA Growth Extended ESG Focus Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EGUS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.99), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.