ESMV vs. VIG
ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation 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 VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESMV returned 10.45%/yr vs 15.85%/yr for VIG. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESMV charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIG.
Performance
ESMV vs. VIG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a 4.06% return, which is significantly lower than VIG's 6.98% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -0.61%
- YTD
- 4.06%
- 6M
- 3.40%
- 1Y
- 6.29%
- 3Y*
- 10.45%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VIG
- 1D
- -0.51%
- 1M
- 0.48%
- YTD
- 6.98%
- 6M
- 6.28%
- 1Y
- 18.42%
- 3Y*
- 15.85%
- 5Y*
- 10.82%
- 10Y*
- 13.34%
ESMV vs. VIG - 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% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 6.98% | 14.17% | 16.99% | 14.51% | -9.80% | 4.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and VIG is 0.77, 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 | 0.77 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2021 | 0.86 |
The correlation between ESMV and VIG shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ESMV vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
VIG
ESMV vs. VIG - 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 Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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 | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.33 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.90 | 2.34 | -1.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.75 | 9.44 | -6.69 |
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Drawdowns
ESMV vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum VIG drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and VIG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -46.81% | +27.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -7.91% | +0.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | -14.95% | +2.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -20.39% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -31.72% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.93% | -1.13% | -0.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.28% | -5.50% | +0.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.29% | 1.96% | +0.33% |
Volatility
ESMV vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) have volatilities of 2.82% and 2.89%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESMV | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.82% | 2.89% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.53% | 7.70% | -1.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.16% | 10.14% | +0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 14.23% | -1.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 16.04% | -2.84% |
ESMV vs. VIG - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VIG's 0.04% 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. VIG - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than VIG's 1.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 1.47% | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.88% | 1.96% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.71% | 2.08% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 2.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESMV and VIG have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VIG has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to ESMV (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESMV dropped -19.77% vs VIG's -46.81%.
On 3-year performance, VIG leads with 15.85% vs 10.45% for ESMV. On fees, VIG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VIG has performed better with a 15.85% return vs 10.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for ESMV.
ESMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 1.47% for VIG.
ESMV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VIG is Dividend. ESMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for ESMV and 0.04% for VIG.
VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 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.
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