ESGE vs. STXE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ESGE (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ESGE tracks the MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESGE returned 18.81%/yr vs 23.32%/yr for STXE. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ESGE charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.

Performance

ESGE vs. STXE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGE achieves a 17.50% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 31.48% return.

ESGE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.79%
• 6M: 9.17%
• YTD: 17.50%
• 1Y: 34.75%
• 3Y*: 18.81%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 8.88%
• ALL TIME*: 8.86%

STXE

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.07%
• 6M: 18.30%
• YTD: 31.48%
• 1Y: 56.34%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.35%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	$53.52M	$39.94M	$58.74M
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$412.67K	$566.81K	$571.67K

ESGE vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	17.50%	35.86%	6.63%	-0.70%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	31.48%	34.23%	2.09%	12.38%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGE and STXE is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023	0.86

The correlation between ESGE and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGE vs. STXE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGE	STXE
Technology	45.4%	40.3%
Financial Services	23.0%	15.7%
Communication Services	7.2%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	1.4%
Industrials	4.9%	5.0%
Basic Materials	4.2%	6.2%
Healthcare	2.5%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	1.7%
Energy	1.7%	3.5%
Utilities	1.3%	1.1%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.4%

Return for Risk

ESGE vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESGE

ESGE Risk / Return Rank: 61
ESGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ESGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ESGE Omega Ratio Rank: 62
ESGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
ESGE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

STXE

STXE Risk / Return Rank: 79
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESGE vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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.

	ESGE	STXE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.86	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.40	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.73	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.40	10.29	-2.89

ESGE vs. STXE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGE Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the STXE Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGE and STXE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ESGE vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGE drawdown since its inception was -41.07%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -20.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGE and STXE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGE	STXE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.07%	-20.38%	-20.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-20.38%	+6.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-20.38%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.30%	-14.59%	+5.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.34%	-3.95%	-10.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.58%	5.39%	-0.81%

Volatility

ESGE vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) is 9.09%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 13.05%. This indicates that ESGE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGE	STXE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.09%	13.05%	-3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.33%	28.09%	-5.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.45%	29.83%	-5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.98%	20.17%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.35%	20.17%	+0.18%

ESGE vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGE has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGE vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison

ESGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.20%, more than STXE's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	2.20%	2.50%	2.41%	2.64%	2.68%	2.66%	1.31%	2.59%	2.19%	1.86%	0.27%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.91%	2.66%	3.22%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGE and STXE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ESGE and STXE 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, ESGE or STXE?

STXE has higher volatility (13.05%) compared to ESGE (9.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGE dropped -41.07% vs STXE's -20.38%.

Which ETF is better, ESGE or STXE?

On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 23.32% vs 18.81% for ESGE. On fees, ESGE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, ESGE has been the lower-risk option at 9.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGE or STXE?

Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 23.32% return vs 18.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGE or STXE?

ESGE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for STXE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGE or STXE?

ESGE has the higher dividend yield at 2.20%, compared with 1.91% for STXE.

What is the main difference between ESGE and STXE?

ESGE tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for ESGE and 0.32% for STXE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.39), 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.