ESG vs. GQRE
ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while GQRE is a REIT fund tracking the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESG returned 12.02%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for GQRE. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for GQRE.
Performance
ESG vs. GQRE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly higher than GQRE's 9.32% return.
ESG
- 1D
- -1.11%
- 1M
- 0.76%
- YTD
- 10.17%
- 6M
- 9.40%
- 1Y
- 22.16%
- 3Y*
- 19.27%
- 5Y*
- 12.02%
- 10Y*
- —
GQRE
- 1D
- 0.69%
- 1M
- -0.17%
- YTD
- 9.32%
- 6M
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 11.39%
- 3Y*
- 11.94%
- 5Y*
- 2.35%
- 10Y*
- 4.10%
ESG vs. GQRE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 10.17% | 16.04% | 20.22% | 27.86% | -19.89% | 28.48% | 20.75% | 31.74% | -5.17% | 22.78% |
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 9.32% | 8.27% | 6.09% | 9.21% | -27.22% | 32.01% | -9.17% | 21.84% | -8.88% | 13.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESG and GQRE is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2016 | 0.58 |
The correlation between ESG and GQRE shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ESG vs. GQRE — Risk / Return Rank
ESG
GQRE
ESG vs. GQRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ESG | GQRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.96 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.17 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.56 | 1.13 | +1.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.79 | 4.24 | +6.55 |
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Drawdowns
ESG vs. GQRE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum GQRE drawdown of -41.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and GQRE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESG | GQRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.53% | -41.87% | +9.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -10.15% | +1.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.32% | -16.17% | -2.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.04% | -35.08% | +9.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.87% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.26% | -1.64% | -0.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.05% | -9.20% | +4.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.06% | 2.70% | -0.64% |
Volatility
ESG vs. GQRE - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a higher volatility of 4.38% compared to FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) at 3.69%. This indicates that ESG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESG | GQRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.38% | 3.69% | +0.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.24% | 9.20% | +0.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.61% | 11.91% | -0.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.81% | 16.46% | +0.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.35% | 17.65% | +0.70% |
ESG vs. GQRE - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than GQRE's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESG vs. GQRE - Dividend Comparison
ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than GQRE's 4.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 0.88% | 0.96% | 1.18% | 1.10% | 1.38% | 1.03% | 1.33% | 1.51% | 1.72% | 1.52% | 0.92% | 0.00% |
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 4.29% | 4.75% | 3.77% | 2.91% | 2.56% | 2.36% | 2.05% | 4.29% | 3.22% | 1.97% | 4.16% | 2.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESG and GQRE have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ESG has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to GQRE (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs GQRE's -41.87%.
On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 12.02% vs 2.35% for GQRE. On fees, ESG is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, GQRE has been the lower-risk option at 3.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 12.02% return vs 2.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESG is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.
GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.29%, compared with 0.88% for ESG.
ESG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while GQRE is REIT. ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.45% for GQRE.
ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.97), 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.
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