ESG vs. IQDF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and IQDF (FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while IQDF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESG returned 12.73%/yr vs 10.43%/yr for IQDF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IQDF.

Performance

ESG vs. IQDF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 12.20% return, which is significantly lower than IQDF's 15.38% return.

ESG

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 7.28%
• YTD: 12.20%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 25.90%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 12.73%
• 10Y*: —

IQDF

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 15.38%
• 6M: 18.18%
• 1Y: 35.90%
• 3Y*: 22.80%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 9.66%

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

ESG vs. IQDF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	12.20%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	31.74%	-5.17%	22.78%
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	15.38%	35.42%	6.62%	20.10%	-14.69%	10.18%	3.54%	20.96%	-17.39%	23.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and IQDF is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2016	0.67

The correlation between ESG and IQDF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESG vs. IQDF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	IQDF
Technology	36.7%	15.6%
Financial Services	16.9%	25.9%
Healthcare	11.2%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	5.7%
Industrials	4.5%	13.2%
Energy	3.1%	7.2%
Basic Materials	3.0%	8.3%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.3%
Communication Services	1.0%	4.9%
Utilities	0.7%	3.9%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. IQDF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 67
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IQDF

IQDF Risk / Return Rank: 74
IQDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IQDF Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IQDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IQDF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

ESG vs. IQDF - 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 International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF). 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.

	ESG	IQDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.50	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.35	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.44	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.60	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	13.93	-0.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESG vs. IQDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the IQDF Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and IQDF, 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

	ESG	IQDF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.50	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.68	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.44	+0.39

Drawdowns

ESG vs. IQDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum IQDF drawdown of -39.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and IQDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	IQDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-39.83%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-10.03%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-13.92%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-30.34%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-1.02%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.07%	-9.34%	+4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.58%	-0.59%

Volatility

ESG vs. IQDF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) is 2.94%, while FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that ESG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	IQDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	5.63%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.46%	12.23%	-3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	14.44%	-3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	15.49%	+1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.36%	16.63%	+1.73%

ESG vs. IQDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than IQDF's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. IQDF - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than IQDF's 2.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	2.77%	3.27%	6.72%	6.06%	5.59%	4.13%	3.31%	4.46%	5.78%	3.89%	3.75%	4.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and IQDF in my portfolio?

ESG and IQDF have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESG or IQDF?

IQDF has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to ESG (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs IQDF's -39.83%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or IQDF?

On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 12.73% vs 10.43% for IQDF. On fees, ESG is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ESG has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or IQDF?

Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 12.73% return vs 10.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or IQDF?

ESG is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IQDF.

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

IQDF has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between ESG and IQDF?

ESG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IQDF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while IQDF tracks Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.47% for IQDF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.33), 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.