ESGU vs. VEGN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and VEGN (US Vegan Climate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while VEGN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the US Vegan Climate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGU returned 11.91%/yr vs 15.68%/yr for VEGN. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for VEGN.

Performance

ESGU vs. VEGN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGU achieves a 8.38% return, which is significantly lower than VEGN's 29.79% return.

ESGU

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 8.38%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: —

VEGN

• 1D: -3.40%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 29.79%
• 6M: 29.01%
• 1Y: 46.88%
• 3Y*: 28.58%
• 5Y*: 15.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGU vs. VEGN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	8.38%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	22.54%	9.44%
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	29.79%	13.71%	25.42%	38.10%	-26.87%	26.01%	27.72%	9.45%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGU and VEGN is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2019	0.95

The correlation between ESGU and VEGN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGU vs. VEGN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGU	VEGN
Technology	39.4%	63.0%
Financial Services	11.1%	13.3%
Communication Services	9.9%	9.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	1.8%
Healthcare	8.9%	4.8%
Industrials	8.0%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	0.0%
Energy	3.4%	-
Real Estate	2.1%	3.1%
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.1%
Utilities	1.8%	0.1%

Return for Risk

ESGU vs. VEGN — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 58
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VEGN

VEGN Risk / Return Rank: 81
VEGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VEGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. VEGN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) and US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN). 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	VEGN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.57	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	3.30	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.44	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	3.98	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	15.55	-4.28

ESGU vs. VEGN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGU Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the VEGN Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGU and VEGN, 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. VEGN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGU drawdown since its inception was -33.87%, roughly equal to the maximum VEGN drawdown of -34.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGU and VEGN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGU	VEGN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.87%	-34.14%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-11.85%	+2.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-20.91%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.15%	-33.40%	+7.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	-3.40%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-7.55%	+2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	3.02%	-0.91%

Volatility

ESGU vs. VEGN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) is 4.97%, while US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) has a volatility of 9.97%. This indicates that ESGU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEGN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGU	VEGN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	9.97%	-5.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	15.75%	-5.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	18.33%	-5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	20.63%	-3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.60%	22.93%	-4.33%

ESGU vs. VEGN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than VEGN's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGU vs. VEGN - Dividend Comparison

ESGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than VEGN's 0.50% yield.

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%
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.67%	0.81%	0.41%	0.71%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGU and VEGN in my portfolio?

ESGU and VEGN have a correlation of 0.90, 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 VEGN?

VEGN has higher volatility (9.97%) compared to ESGU (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGU dropped -33.87% vs VEGN's -34.14%.

Which ETF is better, ESGU or VEGN?

On 5-year performance, VEGN leads with 15.68% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGU or VEGN?

Over the 5-year period, VEGN has performed better with a 15.68% return vs 11.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGU or VEGN?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for VEGN.

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

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.50% for VEGN.

What is the main difference between ESGU and VEGN?

ESGU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VEGN is Large Cap Growth Equities. ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index, while VEGN tracks US Vegan Climate Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Beyond Investing. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ESGU and 0.60% for VEGN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.86), 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.