IESGX vs. SQIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IESGX (Sit ESG Growth Fund) and SQIFX (Sit Quality Income Fund) are both mutual funds - IESGX is a Global Equities fund managed by Sit, while SQIFX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by Sit. Over the past 5 years, IESGX returned 11.22%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for SQIFX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IESGX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SQIFX.

Performance

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) and Sit Quality Income Fund (SQIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IESGX achieves a 8.22% return, which is significantly higher than SQIFX's 0.43% return.

IESGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 8.22%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: —

SQIFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 4.05%
• 3Y*: 4.35%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 2.08%

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

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IESGX Sit ESG Growth Fund	8.22%	19.65%	19.59%	26.67%	-21.08%	19.93%	15.91%	26.41%	-7.38%	23.71%
SQIFX Sit Quality Income Fund	0.43%	6.32%	3.93%	3.39%	-2.68%	1.24%	2.89%	3.13%	0.90%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between IESGX and SQIFX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2016	0.07

The correlation between IESGX and SQIFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IESGX vs. SQIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IESGX

IESGX Risk / Return Rank: 42
IESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
IESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SQIFX

SQIFX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SQIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
SQIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SQIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SQIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
SQIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) and Sit Quality Income Fund (SQIFX). 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.

	IESGX	SQIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.78	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.04	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.36	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	2.63	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.22	9.73	+0.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the SQIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IESGX and SQIFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IESGX	SQIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.78	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.99	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.04	-0.30

Drawdowns

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IESGX drawdown since its inception was -32.15%, which is greater than SQIFX's maximum drawdown of -4.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IESGX and SQIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IESGX	SQIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.15%	-4.22%	-27.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.65%	-1.55%	-8.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.86%	-1.55%	-14.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-4.22%	-25.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-4.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.08%	-0.45%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	0.42%	+1.82%

Volatility

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Volatility Comparison

Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Sit Quality Income Fund (SQIFX) at 0.82%. This indicates that IESGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SQIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IESGX	SQIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	0.82%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.62%	1.61%	+8.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.25%	2.29%	+9.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	2.33%	+13.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.77%	1.80%	+14.97%

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IESGX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SQIFX's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

IESGX vs. SQIFX - Dividend Comparison

IESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than SQIFX's 3.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IESGX Sit ESG Growth Fund	1.10%	1.19%	0.06%	0.77%	3.29%	1.43%	0.58%	1.54%	1.41%	0.91%	0.21%	0.00%
SQIFX Sit Quality Income Fund	3.88%	4.21%	3.96%	2.78%	3.42%	1.23%	1.13%	1.95%	1.82%	1.16%	0.89%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IESGX and SQIFX in my portfolio?

IESGX and SQIFX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IESGX or SQIFX?

IESGX has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to SQIFX (0.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IESGX dropped -32.15% vs SQIFX's -4.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.78), 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.