ESG vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ESG tracks the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESG returned 12.73%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

ESG vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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 higher than VUG's 9.49% return.

ESG

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

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

ESG vs. VUG - 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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and VUG is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2016	0.83

The correlation between ESG and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESG vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	VUG
Technology	36.7%	53.5%
Financial Services	16.9%	4.3%
Healthcare	11.2%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	1.5%
Industrials	4.5%	3.6%
Energy	3.1%	0.4%
Basic Materials	3.0%	0.6%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.0%
Communication Services	1.0%	17.3%
Utilities	0.7%	0.9%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. VUG — 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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.77	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	2.40	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.31	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.69	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	5.92	+7.09
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.77	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.68	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.62	+0.21

Drawdowns

ESG vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-50.68%	+18.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-16.53%	+7.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-22.85%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-35.61%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-1.51%	+1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.07%	-7.09%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	4.71%	-2.72%

Volatility

ESG vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) is 2.94%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.83%. This indicates that ESG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	3.83%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.46%	12.11%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	15.84%	-4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	22.22%	-5.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.36%	21.44%	-3.08%

ESG vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than VUG's 0.37% 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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and VUG in my portfolio?

ESG and VUG have a correlation of 0.85, 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 VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to ESG (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 15.11% vs 12.73% for ESG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% 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 VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 15.11% return vs 12.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

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

ESG has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between ESG and VUG?

ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.77), 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.