ESN vs. GXLC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) and GXLC (Global X U.S. 500 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index while GXLC tracks the Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESN charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for GXLC.

Performance

ESN vs. GXLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESN achieves a 14.03% return, which is significantly higher than GXLC's 9.76% return.

ESN

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 13.86%
• 1Y: 26.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GXLC

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 9.76%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ESN vs. GXLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	14.03%	1.79%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	9.76%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ESN and GXLC 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2025	0.77

Return for Risk

ESN vs. GXLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 83
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 83

GXLC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

ESN vs. GXLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). 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.

	ESN	GXLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.22	—	—

Drawdowns

ESN vs. GXLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESN drawdown since its inception was -13.60%, which is greater than GXLC's maximum drawdown of -9.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESN and GXLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESN	GXLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.60%	-9.08%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.61%	-1.76%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.86%	-1.53%	-0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESN	GXLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.45%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.04%	13.79%	-3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.29%	13.79%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.29%	13.79%	-0.50%

ESN vs. GXLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESN has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than GXLC's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESN vs. GXLC - Dividend Comparison

ESN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, more than GXLC's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.80%	0.91%	0.76%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	0.64%	0.30%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESN and GXLC in my portfolio?

ESN and GXLC 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.

Which ETF is better, ESN or GXLC?

On fees, GXLC is cheaper at 0.02% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESN or GXLC?

GXLC is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESN or GXLC?

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.64% for GXLC.

What is the main difference between ESN and GXLC?

ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index, while GXLC tracks Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: KKM Financial and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ESN and 0.02% for GXLC.