ESGB vs. EUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGB (IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF) and EUSB (iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. ESGB is actively managed, while EUSB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESGB returned 5.42%/yr vs 4.27%/yr for EUSB. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for EUSB.

Performance

ESGB vs. EUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF (EUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGB achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly higher than EUSB's 0.13% return.

ESGB

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 5.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EUSB

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: 0.19%
• 1Y: 5.15%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGB vs. EUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	0.50%	7.76%	4.19%	7.16%	-14.44%	0.38%
EUSB iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF	0.13%	7.45%	1.83%	5.80%	-12.81%	0.16%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGB and EUSB is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	0.85

The correlation between ESGB and EUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESGB vs. EUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGB

ESGB Risk / Return Rank: 41
ESGB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ESGB Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
ESGB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
ESGB Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ESGB Martin Ratio Rank: 40

EUSB

EUSB Risk / Return Rank: 41
EUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
EUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
EUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
EUSB 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.

ESGB vs. EUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF (EUSB). 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.

	ESGB	EUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.45	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.19	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.26	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.09	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.28	6.26	+0.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGB vs. EUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGB Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the EUSB Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGB and EUSB, 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

	ESGB	EUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.45	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.04	+0.11

Drawdowns

ESGB vs. EUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGB drawdown since its inception was -18.96%, which is greater than EUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGB and EUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGB	EUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.96%	-17.87%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.60%	-2.48%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.90%	-5.76%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.43%	-1.36%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-6.50%	-0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.82%	+0.03%

Volatility

ESGB vs. EUSB - Volatility Comparison

IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) has a higher volatility of 1.28% compared to iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF (EUSB) at 1.17%. This indicates that ESGB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGB	EUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	1.17%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	2.49%	+0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74%	3.57%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.04%	5.77%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.04%	5.41%	-0.37%

ESGB vs. EUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than EUSB's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGB vs. EUSB - Dividend Comparison

ESGB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.50%, more than EUSB's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	5.50%	5.46%	5.40%	4.82%	3.17%	0.95%	0.00%
EUSB iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF	3.97%	3.84%	3.67%	3.08%	2.21%	1.10%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGB and EUSB in my portfolio?

ESGB and EUSB have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGB or EUSB?

ESGB has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to EUSB (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGB dropped -18.96% vs EUSB's -17.87%.

Which ETF is better, ESGB or EUSB?

On 3-year performance, ESGB leads with 5.42% vs 4.27% for EUSB. On fees, EUSB is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, EUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGB or EUSB?

Over the 3-year period, ESGB has performed better with a 5.42% return vs 4.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGB or EUSB?

EUSB is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ESGB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGB or EUSB?

ESGB has the higher dividend yield at 5.50%, compared with 3.97% for EUSB.

What is the main difference between ESGB and EUSB?

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ESGB and 0.12% for EUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.43), 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.