MBSD vs. ESG
MBSD (FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund) and ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MBSD is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund tracking the ICE BofA Constrained Duration US Mortgage Backed Securities, while ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MBSD returned 0.62%/yr vs 12.73%/yr for ESG. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MBSD charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ESG.
Performance
MBSD vs. ESG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MBSD achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than ESG's 12.20% return.
MBSD
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.52%
- 1Y
- 5.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.31%
- 5Y*
- 0.62%
- 10Y*
- 1.37%
ESG
- 1D
- -0.45%
- 1M
- 7.28%
- YTD
- 12.20%
- 6M
- 13.15%
- 1Y
- 25.90%
- 3Y*
- 20.72%
- 5Y*
- 12.73%
- 10Y*
- —
MBSD vs. ESG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBSD FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 0.42% | 7.12% | 2.30% | 4.46% | -9.49% | -1.40% | 5.43% | 6.05% | 0.32% | 0.86% |
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 12.20% | 16.04% | 20.22% | 27.86% | -19.89% | 28.48% | 20.75% | 31.74% | -5.17% | 22.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBSD and ESG is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2016 | 0.08 |
Over the past year, MBSD and ESG have become more correlated (0.28) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
MBSD vs. ESG — Risk / Return Rank
MBSD
ESG
MBSD vs. ESG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). 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.
| MBSD | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.41 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.43 | 3.00 | -0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.71 | 13.02 | -5.31 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MBSD | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.50 | 2.33 | -0.83 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 | 0.76 | -0.64 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 0.83 | -0.45 |
Drawdowns
MBSD vs. ESG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MBSD drawdown since its inception was -14.36%, smaller than the maximum ESG drawdown of -32.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBSD and ESG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBSD | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.36% | -32.53% | +18.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.17% | -8.68% | +6.51% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.68% | -18.32% | +13.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.10% | -26.04% | +11.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.36% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.19% | -0.45% | -0.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -5.07% | +2.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.68% | 1.99% | -1.31% |
Volatility
MBSD vs. ESG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) is 1.15%, while FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a volatility of 2.94%. This indicates that MBSD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MBSD | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.15% | 2.94% | -1.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.47% | 8.46% | -5.99% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.53% | 11.16% | -7.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.15% | 16.73% | -11.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.26% | 18.36% | -14.10% |
MBSD vs. ESG - Expense Ratio Comparison
MBSD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than ESG's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
MBSD vs. ESG - Dividend Comparison
MBSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than ESG's 0.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 0.87% | 0.96% | 1.18% | 1.10% | 1.38% | 1.03% | 1.33% | 1.51% | 1.72% | 1.52% | 0.92% | 0.00% |
MBSD FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 4.19% | 4.23% | 3.91% | 3.39% | 3.03% | 2.41% | 2.78% | 3.42% | 3.22% | 3.30% | 3.02% | 3.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MBSD and ESG have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ESG has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to MBSD (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBSD dropped -14.36% vs ESG's -32.53%.
On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 12.73% vs 0.62% for MBSD. On fees, MBSD is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, MBSD has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 12.73% return vs 0.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MBSD is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.
MBSD has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.
MBSD is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while ESG is Large Cap Growth Equities. MBSD tracks ICE BofA Constrained Duration US Mortgage Backed Securities, while ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for MBSD and 0.32% for ESG.
ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.50), 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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