ESGD vs. NZAC
ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) and NZAC (SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGD is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index, while NZAC is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGD returned 7.96%/yr vs 9.39%/yr for NZAC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGD charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for NZAC.
Performance
ESGD vs. NZAC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESGD achieves a 9.13% return, which is significantly higher than NZAC's 6.77% return.
ESGD
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- 1.66%
- YTD
- 9.13%
- 6M
- 10.49%
- 1Y
- 20.92%
- 3Y*
- 15.55%
- 5Y*
- 7.96%
- 10Y*
- —
NZAC
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- -0.64%
- YTD
- 6.77%
- 6M
- 7.70%
- 1Y
- 22.02%
- 3Y*
- 17.54%
- 5Y*
- 9.39%
- 10Y*
- 12.28%
ESGD vs. NZAC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF | 9.13% | 29.63% | 3.95% | 18.53% | -15.17% | 11.79% | 8.20% | 23.12% | -13.33% | 25.10% |
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 6.77% | 20.55% | 16.67% | 23.22% | -19.77% | 18.35% | 17.21% | 28.24% | -9.80% | 22.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESGD and NZAC 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 | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2016 | 0.84 |
The correlation between ESGD and NZAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ESGD vs. NZAC — Risk / Return Rank
ESGD
NZAC
ESGD vs. NZAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC). 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.
| ESGD | NZAC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.27 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 2.04 | -0.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.22 | 8.62 | -2.40 |
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Drawdowns
ESGD vs. NZAC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESGD drawdown since its inception was -33.70%, roughly equal to the maximum NZAC drawdown of -33.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGD and NZAC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESGD | NZAC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.70% | -33.72% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.68% | -10.10% | -1.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.86% | -16.19% | +2.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.03% | -28.31% | -1.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.72% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.61% | -2.70% | +2.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.18% | -5.32% | -0.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.14% | 2.39% | +0.75% |
Volatility
ESGD vs. NZAC - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC) at 5.07%. This indicates that ESGD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NZAC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESGD | NZAC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.56% | 5.07% | +0.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.31% | 11.12% | +2.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.85% | 13.56% | +2.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 16.90% | -0.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.00% | 17.17% | -0.17% |
ESGD vs. NZAC - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESGD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than NZAC's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
ESGD vs. NZAC - Dividend Comparison
ESGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than NZAC's 2.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.30% | 3.60% | 3.23% | 3.02% | 2.59% | 2.75% | 1.63% | 2.57% | 2.69% | 2.65% | 0.09% | 0.00% |
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 2.08% | 1.90% | 1.88% | 1.65% | 1.81% | 1.62% | 1.59% | 2.17% | 2.53% | 2.20% | 2.00% | 2.40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESGD and NZAC 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.
ESGD has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to NZAC (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGD dropped -33.70% vs NZAC's -33.72%.
On 5-year performance, NZAC leads with 9.39% vs 7.96% for ESGD. On fees, NZAC is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, NZAC has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NZAC has performed better with a 9.39% return vs 7.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NZAC is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for ESGD.
ESGD has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 2.08% for NZAC.
ESGD is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NZAC is Global Equities. ESGD tracks MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index, while NZAC tracks MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for ESGD and 0.12% for NZAC.
NZAC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.23), 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.
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