ESGB vs. EVTR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ESGB (IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF) and EVTR (Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ESGB returned 5.08% vs 5.42% for EVTR. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EVTR.

Performance

ESGB vs. EVTR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGB achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly higher than EVTR's 0.43% return.

ESGB

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 5.08%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EVTR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 5.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGB vs. EVTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	0.74%	7.76%	4.00%
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	0.43%	8.10%	4.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGB and EVTR 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2024	0.85

The correlation between ESGB and EVTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESGB vs. EVTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGB

ESGB Risk / Return Rank: 39
ESGB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
ESGB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ESGB Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ESGB Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
ESGB Martin Ratio Rank: 38

EVTR

EVTR Risk / Return Rank: 42
EVTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EVTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
EVTR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
EVTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
EVTR 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. EVTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR). 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	EVTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.50	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	2.20	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	1.90	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.97	6.03	-0.06
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. EVTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGB Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the EVTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGB and EVTR, 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	EVTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.50	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	1.34	-1.18

Drawdowns

ESGB vs. EVTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGB drawdown since its inception was -18.96%, which is greater than EVTR's maximum drawdown of -4.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGB and EVTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGB	EVTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.96%	-4.08%	-14.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.60%	-2.86%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	-1.30%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.07%	-0.97%	-6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.90%	-0.05%

Volatility

ESGB vs. EVTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) is 1.26%, while Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) has a volatility of 1.41%. This indicates that ESGB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EVTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGB	EVTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	1.41%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	2.77%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74%	3.66%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.04%	4.30%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.04%	4.30%	+0.74%

ESGB vs. EVTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than EVTR's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGB vs. EVTR - Dividend Comparison

ESGB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.49%, more than EVTR's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	5.49%	5.46%	5.40%	4.82%	3.17%	0.95%
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	4.67%	4.51%	4.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGB and EVTR in my portfolio?

ESGB and EVTR 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, ESGB or EVTR?

EVTR has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to ESGB (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGB dropped -18.96% vs EVTR's -4.08%.

Which ETF is better, ESGB or EVTR?

On 1-year performance, EVTR leads with 5.42% vs 5.08% for ESGB. On fees, EVTR is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ESGB has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGB or EVTR?

Over the 1-year period, EVTR has performed better with a 5.42% return vs 5.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGB or EVTR?

EVTR is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ESGB.

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

ESGB has the higher dividend yield at 5.49%, compared with 4.67% for EVTR.

What is the main difference between ESGB and EVTR?

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and Eaton Vance. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ESGB and 0.32% for EVTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EVTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.37), 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.