FAN vs. ESGV
FAN (First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF) and ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAN returned 4.21%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for ESGV. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAN charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for ESGV.
Performance
FAN vs. ESGV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAN achieves a 20.47% return, which is significantly higher than ESGV's 7.75% return.
FAN
- 1D
- -2.65%
- 1M
- -5.81%
- YTD
- 20.47%
- 6M
- 20.15%
- 1Y
- 38.86%
- 3Y*
- 14.67%
- 5Y*
- 4.21%
- 10Y*
- 9.88%
ESGV
- 1D
- -1.50%
- 1M
- -1.12%
- YTD
- 7.75%
- 6M
- 6.70%
- 1Y
- 23.45%
- 3Y*
- 20.58%
- 5Y*
- 11.61%
- 10Y*
- —
FAN vs. ESGV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 20.47% | 40.38% | -8.96% | -3.20% | -13.12% | -11.63% | 61.16% | 31.22% | -8.10% |
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF | 7.75% | 16.48% | 24.69% | 30.79% | -24.04% | 26.55% | 25.69% | 33.36% | -14.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAN and ESGV is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2018 | 0.63 |
The correlation between FAN and ESGV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.
FAN vs. ESGV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FAN
ESGV
Utilities
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
Real Estate
-
Technology
-
Utilities
FAN
ESGV
Industrials
FAN
ESGV
Consumer Cyclical
FAN
ESGV
Energy
FAN
ESGV
Basic Materials
FAN
ESGV
Communication Services
FAN
-
ESGV
Consumer Defensive
FAN
-
ESGV
Financial Services
FAN
-
ESGV
Healthcare
FAN
-
ESGV
Real Estate
FAN
-
ESGV
Technology
FAN
-
ESGV
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Return for Risk
FAN vs. ESGV — Risk / Return Rank
FAN
ESGV
FAN vs. ESGV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV). 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.
| FAN | ESGV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.30 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.51 | 2.03 | +1.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.64 | 8.48 | +3.17 |
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Drawdowns
FAN vs. ESGV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAN drawdown since its inception was -79.94%, which is greater than ESGV's maximum drawdown of -33.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAN and ESGV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAN | ESGV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.94% | -33.66% | -46.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.13% | -11.60% | +0.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -20.41% | -4.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.45% | -28.81% | -9.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.29% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.44% | -3.56% | -5.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -45.08% | -6.40% | -38.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.35% | 2.77% | +0.58% |
Volatility
FAN vs. ESGV - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) at 5.61%. This indicates that FAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESGV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAN | ESGV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.87% | 5.61% | +1.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.93% | 11.26% | +4.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.41% | 14.15% | +6.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.42% | 18.48% | +2.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 20.60% | +0.36% |
FAN vs. ESGV - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAN has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGV's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAN vs. ESGV - Dividend Comparison
FAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than ESGV's 0.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF | 0.89% | 0.91% | 1.04% | 1.16% | 1.42% | 0.95% | 1.11% | 1.27% | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 1.03% | 1.35% | 1.52% | 1.71% | 1.50% | 1.79% | 0.84% | 2.42% | 2.67% | 2.59% | 6.04% | 2.35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAN and ESGV have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAN has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to ESGV (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAN dropped -79.94% vs ESGV's -33.66%.
On 5-year performance, ESGV leads with 11.61% vs 4.21% for FAN. On fees, ESGV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ESGV has been the lower-risk option at 5.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESGV has performed better with a 11.61% return vs 4.21%. 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 0.62% for FAN.
FAN has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.89% for ESGV.
FAN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while ESGV is Large Cap Blend Equities. FAN tracks ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while ESGV tracks FTSE US All Cap Choice Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FAN and 0.09% for ESGV.
FAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.67), 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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