ESGU vs. SLV
ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.91%/yr vs 18.31%/yr for SLV. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
ESGU vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 8.38% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -13.49% return.
ESGU
- 1D
- -1.34%
- 1M
- -1.03%
- YTD
- 8.38%
- 6M
- 7.35%
- 1Y
- 23.73%
- 3Y*
- 20.47%
- 5Y*
- 11.91%
- 10Y*
- —
SLV
- 1D
- -5.40%
- 1M
- -18.48%
- YTD
- -13.49%
- 6M
- -14.05%
- 1Y
- 69.08%
- 3Y*
- 39.38%
- 5Y*
- 18.31%
- 10Y*
- 12.68%
ESGU vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 8.38% | 16.90% | 24.31% | 25.79% | -20.27% | 26.89% | 22.54% | 31.72% | -4.32% | 21.07% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | -13.49% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESGU and SLV is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2016 | 0.20 |
The correlation between ESGU and SLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ESGU vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
ESGU
SLV
ESGU vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). 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 | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.25 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 1.47 | +1.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.27 | 3.16 | +8.11 |
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Drawdowns
ESGU vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and SLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESGU | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.87% | -76.28% | +42.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.26% | -47.23% | +37.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.32% | -47.23% | +27.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.15% | -47.23% | +21.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -47.23% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.19% | -47.23% | +44.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.88% | -44.65% | +39.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.11% | 21.91% | -19.80% |
Volatility
ESGU vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) is 4.97%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 14.34%. This indicates that ESGU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESGU | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.97% | 14.34% | -9.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.11% | 59.27% | -49.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.81% | 60.33% | -47.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.42% | 36.59% | -19.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 32.09% | -13.49% |
ESGU vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESGU vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.18% | 1.43% | 1.58% | 1.06% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.73% | 1.82% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESGU and SLV have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (14.34%) compared to ESGU (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 5-year performance, SLV leads with 18.31% vs 11.91% for ESGU. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 4.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SLV has performed better with a 18.31% return vs 11.91%. 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 0.50% for SLV.
ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SLV is Silver. ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.50% for SLV.
ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.15), 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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