ESGU vs. TDVG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and TDVG (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. ESGU is passively managed, while TDVG is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.65%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for TDVG. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for TDVG.

Performance

ESGU vs. TDVG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly lower than TDVG's 10.93% return.

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%

TDVG

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.47%
• 6M: 9.09%
• YTD: 10.93%
• 1Y: 19.23%
• 3Y*: 14.55%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.28%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	$80.49M	$59.39M	$71.31M
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	$2.11M	$3.07M	$2.63M

ESGU vs. TDVG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	10.36%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	15.55%
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	10.93%	14.80%	13.45%	13.95%	-10.15%	26.20%	12.97%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and TDVG is 0.76, 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.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2020	0.89

The correlation between ESGU and TDVG shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESGU vs. TDVG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGU	TDVG
Technology	38.6%	27.4%
Financial Services	11.6%	19.3%
Healthcare	9.5%	12.8%
Communication Services	9.2%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	6.7%
Industrials	8.7%	14.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	6.6%
Energy	3.3%	4.5%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.9%	2.8%
Utilities	1.9%	3.2%

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. TDVG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 65
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 73

TDVG

TDVG Risk / Return Rank: 80
TDVG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
TDVG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
TDVG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TDVG Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TDVG Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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. TDVG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG). 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	TDVG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.87	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.69	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.34	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.51	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	10.48	-1.52

ESGU vs. TDVG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the TDVG Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and TDVG, 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. TDVG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, which is greater than TDVG's maximum drawdown of -19.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and TDVG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	TDVG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-19.20%	-14.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-7.24%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-14.02%	-5.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.15%	-19.20%	-6.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-0.92%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-3.67%	-1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	1.73%	+0.47%

Volatility

ESGU vs. TDVG - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a higher volatility of 3.62% compared to T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG) at 2.20%. This indicates that ESGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDVG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	TDVG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	2.20%	+1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.31%	7.30%	+3.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.15%	9.74%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.44%	13.87%	+3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.54%	13.81%	+4.73%

ESGU vs. TDVG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than TDVG's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGU vs. TDVG - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than TDVG's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	0.96%	1.00%	1.06%	1.31%	1.15%	0.80%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and TDVG in my portfolio?

ESGU and TDVG have a correlation of 0.76, 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 TDVG?

ESGU has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to TDVG (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs TDVG's -19.20%.

Which ETF is better, ESGU or TDVG?

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 11.65% vs 10.00% for TDVG. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TDVG has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGU or TDVG?

Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 11.65% return vs 10.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or TDVG?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for TDVG.

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

TDVG has the higher dividend yield at 0.96%, compared with 0.94% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between ESGU and TDVG?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.50% for TDVG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TDVG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 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.