ESG vs. GXLC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and GXLC (Global X U.S. 500 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESG tracks the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index while GXLC tracks the Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for GXLC.

Performance

ESG vs. GXLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 11.91% return, which is significantly higher than GXLC's 10.06% return.

ESG

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.58%
• 6M: 9.98%
• YTD: 11.91%
• 1Y: 22.28%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 14.84%
• ALL TIME*: 14.86%

GXLC

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 8.81%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	$141.70K	$104.98K	$155.55K
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	$27.98K	$20.23K	$17.31K

ESG vs. GXLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	11.91%	3.57%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	10.06%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and GXLC is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2025	0.95

Return for Risk

ESG vs. GXLC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 74
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 77

GXLC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESG vs. GXLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). 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	GXLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.79	—	—

Drawdowns

ESG vs. GXLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, which is greater than GXLC's maximum drawdown of -9.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and GXLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	GXLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-9.08%	-23.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-1.48%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.01%	-1.58%	-3.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESG	GXLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.30%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.35%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	13.60%	-1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	13.60%	+3.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	13.60%	+4.73%

ESG vs. GXLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than GXLC's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. GXLC - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than GXLC's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	0.87%	0.96%	1.18%	1.10%	1.38%	1.03%	1.33%	1.51%	1.72%	1.52%	0.92%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	0.64%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and GXLC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, ESG and GXLC 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 ETF is better, ESG or GXLC?

On fees, GXLC is cheaper at 0.02% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or GXLC?

GXLC is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESG or GXLC?

ESG has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.64% for GXLC.

What is the main difference between ESG and GXLC?

ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while GXLC tracks Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.02% for GXLC.