ESG vs. IUSG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ESG tracks the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index while IUSG tracks the S&P 900 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ESG returned 14.93%/yr vs 17.26%/yr for IUSG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IUSG.

Performance

ESG vs. IUSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ESG having a 11.73% return and IUSG slightly lower at 11.21%. Over the past 10 years, ESG has underperformed IUSG with an annualized return of 14.93%, while IUSG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.26% annualized return.

ESG

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 1.34%
• 6M: 9.94%
• YTD: 11.73%
• 1Y: 20.77%
• 3Y*: 18.53%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 14.93%

IUSG

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 0.93%
• 6M: 9.36%
• YTD: 11.21%
• 1Y: 23.87%
• 3Y*: 24.42%
• 5Y*: 13.28%
• 10Y*: 17.26%

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

ESG vs. IUSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	11.73%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	31.74%	-5.17%	22.78%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	11.21%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and IUSG is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2016	0.84

The correlation between ESG and IUSG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESG vs. IUSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	IUSG
Technology	37.4%	49.9%
Financial Services	17.1%	9.0%
Healthcare	11.3%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	1.2%
Industrials	4.9%	6.7%
Energy	3.2%	0.3%
Basic Materials	2.9%	0.5%
Real Estate	2.8%	0.9%
Communication Services	1.0%	15.1%
Utilities	0.1%	1.2%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. IUSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 68
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 50
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. IUSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). 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	IUSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.40	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	1.96	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.25	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	1.83	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.02	7.22	+2.80

ESG vs. IUSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the IUSG Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and IUSG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ESG vs. IUSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum IUSG drawdown of -63.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and IUSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	IUSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-63.41%	+30.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-13.07%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-22.28%	+3.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-32.21%	+6.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.53%	-32.35%	-0.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-3.48%	+2.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-21.37%	+16.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	3.31%	-1.23%

Volatility

ESG vs. IUSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) is 3.25%, while iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that ESG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IUSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	IUSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	6.32%	-3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	13.99%	-4.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	17.12%	-5.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.80%	21.11%	-4.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.31%	20.48%	-2.17%

ESG vs. IUSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. IUSG - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than IUSG's 0.49% 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%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.49%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and IUSG in my portfolio?

ESG and IUSG have a correlation of 0.86, 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 IUSG?

IUSG has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to ESG (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs IUSG's -63.41%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or IUSG?

On 10-year performance, IUSG leads with 17.26% vs 14.93% for ESG. On fees, IUSG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ESG has been the lower-risk option at 3.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or IUSG?

Over the 10-year period, IUSG has performed better with a 17.26% return vs 14.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or IUSG?

IUSG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

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

ESG has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.49% for IUSG.

What is the main difference between ESG and IUSG?

ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while IUSG tracks S&P 900 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.04% for IUSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.40), 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.