ESMV vs. IQSI
ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and IQSI (IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IQSI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESMV returned 10.45%/yr vs 15.34%/yr for IQSI. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESMV charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IQSI.
Performance
ESMV vs. IQSI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a 4.06% return, which is significantly lower than IQSI's 8.74% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -0.61%
- YTD
- 4.06%
- 6M
- 3.40%
- 1Y
- 6.29%
- 3Y*
- 10.45%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IQSI
- 1D
- -2.08%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 8.74%
- 6M
- 8.46%
- 1Y
- 19.87%
- 3Y*
- 15.34%
- 5Y*
- 7.76%
- 10Y*
- —
ESMV vs. IQSI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 4.06% | 5.34% | 13.06% | 12.20% | -11.08% | 3.13% |
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF | 8.74% | 26.95% | 4.84% | 16.21% | -14.76% | -1.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and IQSI is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2021 | 0.64 |
The correlation between ESMV and IQSI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ESMV vs. IQSI — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
IQSI
ESMV vs. IQSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) and IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI). 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.
| ESMV | IQSI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.23 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.90 | 1.66 | -0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.75 | 6.09 | -3.34 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ESMV vs. IQSI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum IQSI drawdown of -31.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and IQSI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | IQSI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -31.90% | +12.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -12.00% | +4.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | -14.02% | +1.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.93% | -2.08% | +0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.28% | -6.46% | +1.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.29% | 3.27% | -0.98% |
Volatility
ESMV vs. IQSI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) is 2.82%, while IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) has a volatility of 5.25%. This indicates that ESMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ESMV | IQSI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.82% | 5.25% | -2.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.53% | 13.33% | -6.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.16% | 15.70% | -5.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 16.41% | -3.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 19.02% | -5.82% |
ESMV vs. IQSI - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than IQSI's 0.15% 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
ESMV vs. IQSI - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, less than IQSI's 2.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% | 0.00% |
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF | 2.75% | 2.75% | 2.79% | 2.98% | 2.89% | 2.75% | 1.65% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESMV and IQSI have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IQSI has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to ESMV (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESMV dropped -19.77% vs IQSI's -31.90%.
On 3-year performance, IQSI leads with 15.34% vs 10.45% for ESMV. On fees, IQSI is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IQSI has performed better with a 15.34% return vs 10.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IQSI is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for ESMV.
IQSI has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 1.55% for ESMV.
ESMV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IQSI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. ESMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IQSI tracks IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and New York Life. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for ESMV and 0.15% for IQSI.
IQSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.62), 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.
Find the right allocation for ESMV and IQSI
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer