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ESGU vs. EQL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGU vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESGU tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index while EQL tracks the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.65%/yr vs 10.63%/yr for EQL. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

ESGU vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESGU having a 10.36% return and EQL slightly higher at 10.71%.

ESGU

1D
0.71%
1M
0.15%
6M
9.05%
YTD
10.36%
1Y
21.68%
3Y*
19.00%
5Y*
11.65%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
15.10%

EQL

1D
0.57%
1M
0.31%
6M
6.82%
YTD
10.71%
1Y
18.34%
3Y*
14.59%
5Y*
10.63%
10Y*
12.39%
ALL TIME*
13.49%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EQL

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
$3.33M$2.84M$2.70M

ESGU

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF
$80.49M$59.39M$71.31M

ESGU vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ESGU
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF		10.36%16.90%24.31%25.79%-20.27%26.89%22.54%31.72%-4.32%21.07%
EQL
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF		10.71%13.09%16.44%16.87%-10.72%29.32%10.87%27.87%-6.12%18.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and EQL is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.72

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.83

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2016

0.88

The correlation between ESGU and EQL shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESGU vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESGU
EQL

Technology

38.6%
10.2%

Financial Services

11.6%
9.1%

Healthcare

9.5%
9.4%

Communication Services

9.2%
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.0%
9.6%

Industrials

8.7%
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
8.8%

Energy

3.3%
8.7%

Real Estate

2.0%
8.7%

Basic Materials

1.9%
8.0%

Utilities

1.9%
9.4%

Technology

ESGU
38.6%
EQL
10.2%

Financial Services

ESGU
11.6%
EQL
9.1%

Healthcare

ESGU
9.5%
EQL
9.4%

Communication Services

ESGU
9.2%
EQL
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

ESGU
9.0%
EQL
9.6%

Industrials

ESGU
8.7%
EQL
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

ESGU
4.3%
EQL
8.8%

Energy

ESGU
3.3%
EQL
8.7%

Real Estate

ESGU
2.0%
EQL
8.7%

Basic Materials

ESGU
1.9%
EQL
8.0%

Utilities

ESGU
1.9%
EQL
9.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF

Often compared with ESGU:
ESGU vs. ESGVESGU vs. SPYESGU vs. ESGDESGU vs. ESGEESGU vs. SUSAESGU vs. VOOESGU vs. IVV
Often compared with EQL:
EQL vs. RSPEQL vs. VOOEQL vs. SPYEQL vs. ^SPXEWEQL vs. MOODEQL vs. VDCEQL vs. voo

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. EQL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
ESGU
ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
EQL
EQL Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 8282
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ESGU vs. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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.

ESGUEQLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.50
1.82

-0.32

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.07
2.54

-0.47

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.33

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.13

2.78

-0.65

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.95

10.89

-1.94

ESGU vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and EQL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ESGU vs. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, roughly equal to the maximum EQL drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and EQL.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGUEQLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.87%

-35.65%

+1.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.26%

-6.19%

-3.07%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.32%

-15.07%

-4.25%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.15%

-19.24%

-6.91%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.65%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.42%

-0.27%

-1.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.84%

-3.23%

-1.61%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.20%

1.58%

+0.62%

Volatility

ESGU vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a higher volatility of 3.62% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.23%. This indicates that ESGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGUEQLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.62%

2.23%

+1.39%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.31%

7.03%

+3.28%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.15%

9.50%

+3.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.44%

14.51%

+2.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.54%

16.49%

+2.05%

ESGU vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EQL's 0.27% 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. EQL - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than EQL's 1.35% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EQL
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF		1.35%1.73%1.78%1.96%2.14%1.69%2.29%1.95%2.39%1.97%2.89%2.07%
ESGU
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF		0.94%0.99%1.18%1.43%1.58%1.06%1.27%1.32%1.73%1.82%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESGU and EQL have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ESGU has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to EQL (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs EQL's -35.65%.

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 11.65% vs 10.63% for EQL. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. 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 11.65% return vs 10.63%. 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 0.27% for EQL.

EQL has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.94% for ESGU.

ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while EQL tracks NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.27% for EQL.

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.50), 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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