IQSU vs. ESGD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) and ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while ESGD is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSU returned 12.84%/yr vs 7.90%/yr for ESGD. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQSU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ESGD.

Performance

IQSU vs. ESGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSU achieves a 13.06% return, which is significantly higher than ESGD's 8.31% return.

IQSU

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 6.63%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 13.30%
• 1Y: 29.34%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: 12.84%
• 10Y*: —

ESGD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 10.53%
• 1Y: 20.25%
• 3Y*: 15.89%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQSU vs. ESGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	13.06%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	1.24%
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	8.31%	29.63%	3.95%	18.53%	-15.17%	11.79%	8.20%	0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSU and ESGD is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.73

The correlation between IQSU and ESGD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSU vs. ESGD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSU	ESGD
Technology	34.0%	11.7%
Communication Services	15.0%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	14.8%	7.6%
Financial Services	11.7%	26.4%
Industrials	6.8%	19.2%
Healthcare	6.2%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	6.4%
Real Estate	2.8%	2.0%
Basic Materials	2.7%	4.6%
Energy	1.3%	3.9%
Utilities	1.2%	3.9%

Return for Risk

IQSU vs. ESGD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 61
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ESGD

ESGD Risk / Return Rank: 37
ESGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
ESGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
ESGD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ESGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ESGD Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

IQSU vs. ESGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). 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.

	IQSU	ESGD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.34	+0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.95	+0.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.24	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.74	+0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.74	6.53	+4.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSU vs. ESGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the ESGD Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSU and ESGD, 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

	IQSU	ESGD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.34	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.48	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.57	+0.22

Drawdowns

IQSU vs. ESGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSU drawdown since its inception was -31.29%, smaller than the maximum ESGD drawdown of -33.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSU and ESGD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSU	ESGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.29%	-33.70%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-11.68%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.96%	-13.86%	-7.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.76%	-30.03%	+3.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-1.36%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-6.19%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	3.11%	-0.37%

Volatility

IQSU vs. ESGD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) is 3.64%, while iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that IQSU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSU	ESGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.64%	4.88%	-1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	12.59%	-2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.85%	15.22%	-1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.88%	16.61%	+1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.68%	16.97%	+3.71%

IQSU vs. ESGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ESGD's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IQSU vs. ESGD - Dividend Comparison

IQSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than ESGD's 3.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	3.33%	3.60%	3.23%	3.02%	2.59%	2.75%	1.63%	2.57%	2.69%	2.65%	0.09%
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSU and ESGD in my portfolio?

IQSU and ESGD have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSU or ESGD?

ESGD has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to IQSU (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSU dropped -31.29% vs ESGD's -33.70%.

Which ETF is better, IQSU or ESGD?

On 5-year performance, IQSU leads with 12.84% vs 7.90% for ESGD. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IQSU has been the lower-risk option at 3.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSU or ESGD?

Over the 5-year period, IQSU has performed better with a 12.84% return vs 7.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSU or ESGD?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for ESGD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSU or ESGD?

ESGD has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 0.97% for IQSU.

What is the main difference between IQSU and ESGD?

IQSU is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ESGD is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while ESGD tracks MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IQSU and 0.20% for ESGD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.34), 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.