ESGU vs. AVIE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and AVIE (Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. ESGU is passively managed, while AVIE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESGU returned 19.89%/yr vs 13.54%/yr for AVIE. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVIE.

Performance

ESGU vs. AVIE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 10.95% return, which is significantly lower than AVIE's 16.94% return.

ESGU

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 9.02%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 1Y: 22.19%
• 3Y*: 19.89%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: —

AVIE

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 14.10%
• YTD: 16.94%
• 1Y: 25.91%
• 3Y*: 13.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. AVIE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	10.95%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	3.35%
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	16.94%	11.37%	6.17%	4.19%	15.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and AVIE is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2022	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between ESGU and AVIE has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ESGU vs. AVIE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGU	AVIE
Technology	39.4%	0.1%
Financial Services	11.1%	15.0%
Communication Services	9.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	0.0%
Healthcare	8.9%	26.3%
Industrials	8.0%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	17.1%
Energy	3.4%	30.0%
Real Estate	2.1%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.9%	9.8%
Utilities	1.8%	0.0%

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. AVIE — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 66
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 71

AVIE

AVIE Risk / Return Rank: 92
AVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
AVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

ESGU vs. AVIE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE). 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.

	ESGU	AVIE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.55	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	3.70	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	5.24	-2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	16.43	-6.11

ESGU vs. AVIE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is lower than the AVIE Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and AVIE, 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

ESGU vs. AVIE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, which is greater than AVIE's maximum drawdown of -12.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and AVIE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	AVIE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-12.39%	-21.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-4.97%	-4.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-12.39%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.07%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.86%	-2.97%	-1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.60%	+0.55%

Volatility

ESGU vs. AVIE - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) at 3.66%. This indicates that ESGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVIE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	AVIE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	3.66%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	7.47%	+2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.84%	10.21%	+2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	12.90%	+4.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	12.90%	+5.67%

ESGU vs. AVIE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AVIE's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGU vs. AVIE - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than AVIE's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	1.42%	1.75%	1.89%	3.72%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.93%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and AVIE in my portfolio?

ESGU and AVIE have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGU or AVIE?

ESGU has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to AVIE (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs AVIE's -12.39%.

Which ETF is better, ESGU or AVIE?

On 3-year performance, ESGU leads with 19.89% vs 13.54% for AVIE. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVIE has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGU or AVIE?

Over the 3-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 19.89% return vs 13.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or AVIE?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVIE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGU or AVIE?

AVIE has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.93% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between ESGU and AVIE?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.25% for AVIE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.74), 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.