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ESGV vs. ESGU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGV vs. ESGU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) and ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESGV tracks the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index while ESGU tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGV returned 12.10%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for ESGU. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ESGU.

Performance

ESGV vs. ESGU - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESGV having a 9.39% return and ESGU slightly higher at 9.85%.

ESGV

1D
-0.51%
1M
0.39%
YTD
9.39%
6M
8.78%
1Y
26.60%
3Y*
21.19%
5Y*
12.10%
10Y*
—

ESGU

1D
-0.21%
1M
0.32%
YTD
9.85%
6M
9.26%
1Y
26.62%
3Y*
21.01%
5Y*
12.34%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGV vs. ESGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESGV
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF		9.39%16.48%24.69%30.79%-24.04%26.55%25.69%33.36%-14.45%
ESGU
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF		9.85%16.90%24.31%25.79%-20.27%26.89%22.54%31.72%-13.33%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGV and ESGU is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

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

0.99

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

0.99

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

0.99

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2018

0.99

The correlation between ESGV and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGV vs. ESGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESGV
ESGU

Technology

43.0%
39.4%

Communication Services

12.2%
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

11.7%
9.3%

Financial Services

11.4%
11.1%

Healthcare

9.5%
8.9%

Industrials

4.2%
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.6%
4.2%

Real Estate

2.6%
2.1%

Basic Materials

1.8%
1.9%

Utilities

0.2%
1.8%

Energy

0.1%
3.4%

Technology

ESGV
43.0%
ESGU
39.4%

Communication Services

ESGV
12.2%
ESGU
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

ESGV
11.7%
ESGU
9.3%

Financial Services

ESGV
11.4%
ESGU
11.1%

Healthcare

ESGV
9.5%
ESGU
8.9%

Industrials

ESGV
4.2%
ESGU
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

ESGV
3.6%
ESGU
4.2%

Real Estate

ESGV
2.6%
ESGU
2.1%

Basic Materials

ESGV
1.8%
ESGU
1.9%

Utilities

ESGV
0.2%
ESGU
1.8%

Energy

ESGV
0.1%
ESGU
3.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF

Often compared with ESGV:
ESGV vs. VTIESGV vs. VOOESGV vs. SPYESGV vs. VFTAXESGV vs. ESGDESGV vs. VESGXESGV vs. SUSA
Often compared with ESGU:
ESGU vs. SPYESGU vs. ESGDESGU vs. ESGEESGU vs. SUSAESGU vs. VOOESGU vs. IVVESGU vs. XVV

Return for Risk

ESGV vs. ESGU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESGV
ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank
ESGU
ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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.

ESGV vs. ESGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU). 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.

ESGVESGUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.90
2.10

-0.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.58
2.82

-0.23

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.38

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.30

2.89

-0.59

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.65

12.71

-3.06

ESGV vs. ESGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGV Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the ESGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGV and ESGU, 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

ESGV vs. ESGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGV drawdown since its inception was -33.66%, roughly equal to the maximum ESGU drawdown of -33.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGV and ESGU.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGVESGUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.66%

-33.87%

+0.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.60%

-9.26%

-2.34%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.41%

-19.32%

-1.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.81%

-26.15%

-2.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.09%

-1.88%

-0.21%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.40%

-4.88%

-1.52%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.76%

2.10%

+0.66%

Volatility

ESGV vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) at 4.77%. This indicates that ESGV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGVESGUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.40%

4.77%

+0.63%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.18%

10.03%

+1.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.08%

12.76%

+1.32%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.47%

17.41%

+1.06%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.60%

18.60%

+2.00%

ESGV vs. ESGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGV has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ESGU's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGV vs. ESGU - Dividend Comparison

ESGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than ESGU's 0.94% yield.

PositionTTM202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
ESGV
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF		0.87%0.91%1.04%1.16%1.42%0.95%1.11%1.27%0.28%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.99, ESGV and ESGU 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.

ESGV has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to ESGU (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGV dropped -33.66% vs ESGU's -33.87%.

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 12.34% vs 12.10% for ESGV. On fees, ESGV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. 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 12.34% return vs 12.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ESGV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for ESGU.

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.87% for ESGV.

ESGV tracks FTSE US All Cap Choice Index, while ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for ESGV and 0.15% for ESGU.

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.90), 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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