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ESGU vs. USMV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGU vs. USMV

Last updated Jul 14, 2026
Documentation

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from iShares - ESGU tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.88%/yr vs 7.16%/yr for USMV. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

ESGU vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 10.95% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 4.64% return.

ESGU

1D
-0.69%
1M
1.69%
6M
9.02%
YTD
10.95%
1Y
22.19%
3Y*
19.89%
5Y*
11.88%
10Y*
—

USMV

1D
0.06%
1M
2.16%
6M
3.87%
YTD
4.64%
1Y
7.10%
3Y*
11.43%
5Y*
7.16%
10Y*
9.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGU vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ESGU
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF		10.95%16.90%24.31%25.79%-20.27%26.89%22.54%31.72%-4.32%21.07%
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		4.64%7.65%15.74%10.33%-9.43%20.85%5.64%27.69%1.33%18.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and USMV is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.49

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.64

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.76

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

0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between ESGU and USMV has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ESGU vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESGU
USMV

Technology

39.4%
33.9%

Financial Services

11.1%
11.7%

Communication Services

9.9%
6.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
5.7%

Healthcare

8.9%
12.6%

Industrials

8.0%
6.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
9.4%

Energy

3.4%
2.7%

Real Estate

2.1%
2.5%

Basic Materials

1.9%
2.4%

Utilities

1.8%
6.9%

Technology

ESGU
39.4%
USMV
33.9%

Financial Services

ESGU
11.1%
USMV
11.7%

Communication Services

ESGU
9.9%
USMV
6.2%

Consumer Cyclical

ESGU
9.3%
USMV
5.7%

Healthcare

ESGU
8.9%
USMV
12.6%

Industrials

ESGU
8.0%
USMV
6.1%

Consumer Defensive

ESGU
4.2%
USMV
9.4%

Energy

ESGU
3.4%
USMV
2.7%

Real Estate

ESGU
2.1%
USMV
2.5%

Basic Materials

ESGU
1.9%
USMV
2.4%

Utilities

ESGU
1.8%
USMV
6.9%

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

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

Often compared with ESGU:
ESGU vs. ESGVESGU vs. SPYESGU vs. ESGDESGU vs. ESGEESGU vs. SUSAESGU vs. VOOESGU vs. IVV
Often compared with USMV:
USMV vs. SPLVUSMV vs. SPYUSMV vs. VOOUSMV vs. QUALUSMV vs. VFMVUSMV vs. ACWVUSMV vs. VTI

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESGU
ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
USMV
USMV Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 3131
Martin Ratio Rank
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. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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.

ESGUUSMVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.74
0.84

+0.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
1.23

+1.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.15

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.41

1.10

+1.30

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.32

3.61

+6.72

ESGU vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and USMV, 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. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, roughly equal to the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and USMV.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGUUSMVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.87%

-33.10%

-0.77%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.26%

-6.46%

-2.80%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.32%

-9.36%

-9.96%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.15%

-17.93%

-8.22%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.10%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.89%

-0.54%

-0.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.86%

-2.87%

-1.99%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.15%

1.97%

+0.18%

Volatility

ESGU vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.54%. This indicates that ESGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGUUSMVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.05%

2.54%

+1.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.21%

6.22%

+3.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.84%

8.48%

+4.36%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.43%

12.36%

+5.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.57%

14.49%

+4.08%

ESGU vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ESGU and USMV have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGU vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than USMV's 1.48% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%0.00%0.00%
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		1.48%1.49%1.67%1.82%1.62%1.26%1.81%1.88%2.12%1.77%2.22%2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESGU and USMV have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ESGU has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to USMV (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs USMV's -33.10%.

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 11.88% vs 7.16% for USMV. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. 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 11.88% return vs 7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ESGU and USMV have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 0.93% for ESGU.

ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index.

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.84), 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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