ESGU vs. GXLC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and GXLC (Global X U.S. 500 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESGU tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index while GXLC tracks the Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. Both are passively managed. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for GXLC.

Performance

ESGU vs. GXLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ESGU having a 8.38% return and GXLC slightly lower at 8.31%.

ESGU

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 8.38%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: —

GXLC

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 7.39%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. GXLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	8.38%	3.04%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	8.31%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and GXLC is 0.99 - 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2025	0.99

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. GXLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 58
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 65

GXLC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. GXLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). 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	GXLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	—	—

Drawdowns

ESGU vs. GXLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, which is greater than GXLC's maximum drawdown of -9.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and GXLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	GXLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-9.08%	-24.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	-3.05%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-1.54%	-3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	GXLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	13.85%	-1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	13.85%	+3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.60%	13.85%	+4.75%

ESGU vs. GXLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than GXLC's 0.02% 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

ESGU vs. GXLC - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than GXLC's 0.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	0.65%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and GXLC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ESGU and GXLC 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 ETF is better, ESGU or GXLC?

On fees, GXLC is cheaper at 0.02% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or GXLC?

GXLC is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for ESGU.

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

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.65% for GXLC.

What is the main difference between ESGU and GXLC?

ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while GXLC tracks Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.02% for GXLC.