ESGU vs. EAOA
ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and EAOA (iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while EAOA is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.91%/yr vs 8.15%/yr for EAOA. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for EAOA.
Performance
ESGU vs. EAOA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESGU having a 8.38% return and EAOA slightly higher at 8.44%.
ESGU
- 1D
- -1.34%
- 1M
- -1.03%
- YTD
- 8.38%
- 6M
- 7.35%
- 1Y
- 23.73%
- 3Y*
- 20.47%
- 5Y*
- 11.91%
- 10Y*
- —
EAOA
- 1D
- -1.52%
- 1M
- 0.18%
- YTD
- 8.44%
- 6M
- 7.91%
- 1Y
- 21.71%
- 3Y*
- 16.45%
- 5Y*
- 8.15%
- 10Y*
- —
ESGU vs. EAOA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 8.38% | 16.90% | 24.31% | 25.79% | -20.27% | 26.89% | 23.69% |
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 8.44% | 18.41% | 13.79% | 18.27% | -17.76% | 14.52% | 19.79% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESGU and EAOA is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2020 | 0.96 |
The correlation between ESGU and EAOA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ESGU vs. EAOA — Risk / Return Rank
ESGU
EAOA
ESGU vs. EAOA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA). 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 | EAOA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.35 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 2.67 | -0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.27 | 11.55 | -0.28 |
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Drawdowns
ESGU vs. EAOA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, which is greater than EAOA's maximum drawdown of -25.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and EAOA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESGU | EAOA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.87% | -25.06% | -8.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.26% | -8.17% | -1.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.32% | -13.84% | -5.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.15% | -25.06% | -1.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.19% | -2.05% | -1.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.88% | -5.27% | +0.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.11% | 1.88% | +0.23% |
Volatility
ESGU vs. EAOA - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a higher volatility of 4.97% compared to iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) at 4.64%. This indicates that ESGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EAOA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESGU | EAOA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.97% | 4.64% | +0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.11% | 9.51% | +0.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.81% | 11.44% | +1.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.42% | 13.37% | +4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 13.20% | +5.40% |
ESGU vs. EAOA - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EAOA's 0.18% 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. EAOA - Dividend Comparison
ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than EAOA's 1.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 1.98% | 2.10% | 2.09% | 2.21% | 1.93% | 1.48% | 1.12% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.18% | 1.43% | 1.58% | 1.06% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.73% | 1.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, ESGU and EAOA 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.
ESGU has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to EAOA (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs EAOA's -25.06%.
On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 11.91% vs 8.15% for EAOA. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EAOA has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 8.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for EAOA.
EAOA has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.95% for ESGU.
ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while EAOA is Diversified Portfolio. ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while EAOA tracks BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.18% for EAOA.
EAOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.86), 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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