ESGU vs. USSG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and USSG (Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while USSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Leaders. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 12.74%/yr vs 13.79%/yr for USSG. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for USSG.

Performance

ESGU vs. USSG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly higher than USSG's 9.51% return.

ESGU

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.51%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 22.00%
• 5Y*: 12.74%
• 10Y*: —

USSG

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 10.19%
• 1Y: 27.90%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. USSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	11.06%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	22.54%	20.09%
USSG Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF	9.51%	18.97%	23.45%	29.17%	-20.33%	31.83%	18.71%	19.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and USSG is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2019	0.97

The correlation between ESGU and USSG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGU vs. USSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGU	USSG
Technology	38.7%	36.9%
Financial Services	11.5%	10.6%
Communication Services	9.8%	14.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	8.6%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.6%
Industrials	8.4%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.2%
Energy	3.5%	2.1%
Utilities	2.4%	1.1%
Real Estate	2.1%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.6%	2.1%

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. USSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 67
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 72

USSG

USSG Risk / Return Rank: 60
USSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
USSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
USSG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
USSG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. USSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG). 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.

	ESGU	USSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.14	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	3.00	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.50	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.75	10.72	+3.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGU vs. USSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the USSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and USSG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESGU	USSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.14	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.79	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.84	0.00

Drawdowns

ESGU vs. USSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, roughly equal to the maximum USSG drawdown of -34.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and USSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	USSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-34.10%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-11.20%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-20.00%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.15%	-27.00%	+0.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-1.21%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-5.60%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	2.61%	-0.58%

Volatility

ESGU vs. USSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) is 2.92%, while Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG) has a volatility of 3.77%. This indicates that ESGU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	USSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	3.77%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	10.04%	-0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	13.12%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	17.59%	-0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.60%	20.16%	-1.56%

ESGU vs. USSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than USSG's 0.10% 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. USSG - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than USSG's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.92%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%
USSG Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF	0.95%	1.02%	1.13%	1.60%	1.52%	1.13%	1.42%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and USSG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ESGU and USSG 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 is riskier, ESGU or USSG?

USSG has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to ESGU (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs USSG's -34.10%.

Which ETF is better, ESGU or USSG?

On 5-year performance, USSG leads with 13.79% vs 12.74% for ESGU. On fees, USSG is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGU or USSG?

Over the 5-year period, USSG has performed better with a 13.79% return vs 12.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or USSG?

USSG is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for ESGU.

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

USSG has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.92% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between ESGU and USSG?

ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while USSG is Large Cap Growth Equities. ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while USSG tracks MSCI USA ESG Leaders. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.10% for USSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.14), 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.