ESGD vs. FNIDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) and FNIDX (Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ESGD returned 7.90%/yr vs 6.90%/yr for FNIDX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.20% expense ratio.

Performance

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) and Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd (FNIDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGD achieves a 8.31% return, which is significantly lower than FNIDX's 11.27% return.

ESGD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 10.53%
• 1Y: 20.25%
• 3Y*: 15.89%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: —

FNIDX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 13.24%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 6.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	8.31%	29.63%	3.95%	18.53%	-15.17%	11.79%	8.20%	23.12%	-13.33%	11.52%
FNIDX Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd	11.27%	29.80%	5.67%	14.65%	-18.89%	7.65%	12.98%	22.20%	-14.00%	12.96%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGD and FNIDX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2017	0.94

The correlation between ESGD and FNIDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ESGD vs. FNIDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGD

ESGD Risk / Return Rank: 37
ESGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
ESGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
ESGD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ESGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ESGD Martin Ratio Rank: 41

FNIDX

FNIDX Risk / Return Rank: 40
FNIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FNIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FNIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FNIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FNIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) and Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd (FNIDX). 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.

	ESGD	FNIDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	1.83	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.55	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.33	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.40	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.53	9.14	-2.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGD Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is comparable to the FNIDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGD and FNIDX, 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

	ESGD	FNIDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	1.83	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.44	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.50	+0.07

Drawdowns

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGD drawdown since its inception was -33.70%, roughly equal to the maximum FNIDX drawdown of -33.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGD and FNIDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGD	FNIDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.70%	-33.17%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.68%	-11.36%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.86%	-14.92%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.03%	-32.79%	+2.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	0.00%	-1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-8.26%	+2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.97%	+0.14%

Volatility

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd (FNIDX) at 4.45%. This indicates that ESGD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FNIDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGD	FNIDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	4.45%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	12.32%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	14.88%	+0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.61%	15.80%	+0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.97%	16.55%	+0.42%

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ESGD and FNIDX have an expense ratio of 0.20%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGD vs. FNIDX - Dividend Comparison

ESGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than FNIDX's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	3.33%	3.60%	3.23%	3.02%	2.59%	2.75%	1.63%	2.57%	2.69%	2.65%	0.09%
FNIDX Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fd	2.53%	2.81%	2.34%	2.64%	2.32%	1.93%	1.13%	2.17%	2.28%	1.27%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGD and FNIDX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ESGD and FNIDX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ESGD or FNIDX?

ESGD has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to FNIDX (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGD dropped -33.70% vs FNIDX's -33.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNIDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.34), 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.