ESG vs. NFXS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and NFXS (Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while NFXS is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Direxion. ESG is passively managed, while NFXS is actively managed. Over the past year, ESG returned 22.16% vs 64.26% for NFXS. At a correlation of -0.31, they often move in opposite directions. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for NFXS.

Performance

ESG vs. NFXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly lower than NFXS's 24.21% return.

ESG

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.40%
• 1Y: 22.16%
• 3Y*: 19.27%
• 5Y*: 12.02%
• 10Y*: —

NFXS

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 21.28%
• YTD: 24.21%
• 6M: 24.00%
• 1Y: 64.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESG vs. NFXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	10.17%	16.04%	2.57%
NFXS Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares	24.21%	-8.56%	-21.49%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and NFXS is -0.17, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2024	-0.31

The correlation between ESG and NFXS shifts across timeframes, from -0.31 (all time) to -0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ESG vs. NFXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 59
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 63

NFXS

NFXS Risk / Return Rank: 55
NFXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
NFXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
NFXS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NFXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NFXS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. NFXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS). 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	NFXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.91	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.55	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.36	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.06	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.79	5.64	+5.15

ESG vs. NFXS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the NFXS Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and NFXS, 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. NFXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum NFXS drawdown of -50.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and NFXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	NFXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-50.37%	+17.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-31.31%	+22.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-12.88%	+10.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.05%	-31.93%	+26.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	11.45%	-9.39%

Volatility

ESG vs. NFXS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) is 4.38%, while Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares (NFXS) has a volatility of 7.74%. This indicates that ESG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NFXS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	NFXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	7.74%	-3.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	26.22%	-16.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	33.81%	-22.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	34.65%	-17.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	34.65%	-16.30%

ESG vs. NFXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than NFXS's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. NFXS - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than NFXS's 3.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
NFXS Direxion Daily NFLX Bear 1X Shares	3.23%	3.53%	0.87%	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 NFXS in my portfolio?

ESG and NFXS have a correlation of -0.17, 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 NFXS?

NFXS has higher volatility (7.74%) compared to ESG (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs NFXS's -50.37%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or NFXS?

On 1-year performance, NFXS leads with 64.26% vs 22.16% for ESG. On fees, ESG is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ESG has been the lower-risk option at 4.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or NFXS?

Over the 1-year period, NFXS has performed better with a 64.26% return vs 22.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or NFXS?

ESG is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for NFXS.

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

NFXS has the higher dividend yield at 3.23%, compared with 0.88% for ESG.

What is the main difference between ESG and NFXS?

ESG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while NFXS is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 1.03% for NFXS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.91), 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.