ESGU vs. IBIT

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ESGU returned 22.24% vs -46.35% for IBIT. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

ESGU vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 11.14% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -26.71% return.

ESGU

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 9.72%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 1Y: 22.24%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -2.10%
• 6M: -32.61%
• YTD: -26.71%
• 1Y: -46.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	11.14%	16.90%	24.25%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-26.71%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and IBIT is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.41

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. IBIT — 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: 64
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	-1.05	+2.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	-1.59	+3.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.82	+0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	-0.87	+3.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.34	-1.40	+11.74

ESGU vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and IBIT, 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. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-53.30%	+19.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-53.30%	+44.04%
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	-0.73%	-48.95%	+48.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.85%	-17.71%	+12.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	33.14%	-30.99%

Volatility

ESGU vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) is 3.36%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 10.89%. This indicates that ESGU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	10.89%	-7.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.22%	34.83%	-24.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.83%	44.38%	-31.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	49.92%	-32.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.56%	49.92%	-31.36%

ESGU vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	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 IBIT in my portfolio?

ESGU and IBIT have a correlation of 0.48, 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 IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (10.89%) compared to ESGU (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, ESGU or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, ESGU leads with 22.24% vs -46.35% for IBIT. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 3.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGU or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 22.24% return vs -46.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or IBIT?

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

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

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between ESGU and IBIT?

ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs -1.05), 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.