IQRA vs. ESGB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IQRA (IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF) and ESGB (IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQRA is a REIT fund actively managed by IndexIQ, while ESGB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by IndexIQ. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQRA returned 10.36%/yr vs 5.59%/yr for ESGB. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IQRA charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for ESGB.

Performance

IQRA vs. ESGB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) and IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQRA achieves a 6.85% return, which is significantly higher than ESGB's 0.74% return.

IQRA

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 6.85%
• 6M: 7.15%
• 1Y: 12.53%
• 3Y*: 10.36%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ESGB

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 5.08%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IQRA vs. ESGB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	6.85%	12.42%	5.58%	2.36%
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	0.74%	7.76%	4.19%	3.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IQRA and ESGB is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2023	0.45

IQRA vs. ESGB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQRA	ESGB
Real Estate	51.8%	-
Utilities	28.7%	-
Industrials	12.6%	-
Energy	6.5%	-
Financial Services	2.2%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.4%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

IQRA vs. ESGB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQRA

IQRA Risk / Return Rank: 33
IQRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IQRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IQRA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IQRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IQRA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

ESGB

ESGB Risk / Return Rank: 39
ESGB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
ESGB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ESGB Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ESGB Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
ESGB Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

IQRA vs. ESGB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) and IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB). 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.

	IQRA	ESGB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.37	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	2.00	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.24	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	1.96	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.43	5.97	-0.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQRA vs. ESGB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the ESGB Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQRA and ESGB, 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

	IQRA	ESGB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	1.37	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.16	+0.53

Drawdowns

IQRA vs. ESGB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQRA drawdown since its inception was -15.70%, smaller than the maximum ESGB drawdown of -18.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQRA and ESGB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQRA	ESGB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-18.96%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-2.60%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.70%	-5.90%	-9.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.24%	-1.20%	-3.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.15%	-7.07%	+3.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	0.85%	+1.46%

Volatility

IQRA vs. ESGB - Volatility Comparison

IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) has a higher volatility of 3.51% compared to IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) at 1.26%. This indicates that IQRA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESGB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQRA	ESGB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	1.26%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	2.75%	+5.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.55%	3.74%	+6.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	5.04%	+7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.86%	5.04%	+7.82%

IQRA vs. ESGB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQRA has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGB's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQRA vs. ESGB - Dividend Comparison

IQRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than ESGB's 5.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	5.49%	5.46%	5.40%	4.82%	3.17%	0.95%
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	2.79%	2.83%	3.53%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQRA and ESGB in my portfolio?

IQRA and ESGB have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQRA or ESGB?

IQRA has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to ESGB (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQRA dropped -15.70% vs ESGB's -18.96%.

Which ETF is better, IQRA or ESGB?

On 3-year performance, IQRA leads with 10.36% vs 5.59% for ESGB. On fees, ESGB is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, ESGB has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQRA or ESGB?

Over the 3-year period, IQRA has performed better with a 10.36% return vs 5.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQRA or ESGB?

ESGB is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for IQRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQRA or ESGB?

ESGB has the higher dividend yield at 5.49%, compared with 2.79% for IQRA.

What is the main difference between IQRA and ESGB?

IQRA is categorized as REIT, while ESGB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for IQRA and 0.39% for ESGB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.19), 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.