MUNA vs. ESG
MUNA (Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF) and ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MUNA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Northern Trust, while ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. MUNA is actively managed, while ESG is passively managed. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MUNA charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ESG.
Performance
MUNA vs. ESG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MUNA achieves a 1.11% return, which is significantly lower than ESG's 11.33% return.
MUNA
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- -0.78%
- 6M
- 1.10%
- YTD
- 1.11%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESG
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 10.30%
- YTD
- 11.33%
- 1Y
- 20.61%
- 3Y*
- 18.19%
- 5Y*
- 11.97%
- 10Y*
- 14.89%
MUNA vs. ESG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
MUNA Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF | 1.11% | 0.68% |
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 11.33% | 5.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between MUNA and ESG is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2025 | 0.29 |
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Return for Risk
MUNA vs. ESG — Risk / Return Rank
MUNA
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
ESG
MUNA vs. ESG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNA) 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.
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.
| MUNA | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.32 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.39 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 9.93 | — |
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Drawdowns
MUNA vs. ESG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MUNA drawdown since its inception was -0.93%, smaller than the maximum ESG drawdown of -32.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUNA and ESG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MUNA | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -0.93% | -32.53% | +31.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -8.68% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.32% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -26.04% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -32.53% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.86% | -1.22% | +0.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.29% | -5.03% | +4.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 2.08% | — |
Volatility
MUNA vs. ESG - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| MUNA | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.46% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 9.18% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.91% | 11.49% | -9.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.91% | 16.79% | -14.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.91% | 18.31% | -16.40% |
MUNA vs. ESG - Expense Ratio Comparison
MUNA has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ESG's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
MUNA vs. ESG - Dividend Comparison
MUNA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.85%, more than ESG's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 0.88% | 0.96% | 1.18% | 1.10% | 1.38% | 1.03% | 1.33% | 1.51% | 1.72% | 1.52% | 0.92% |
MUNA Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF | 1.85% | 0.76% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MUNA and ESG have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, MUNA is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
MUNA is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.
MUNA has the higher dividend yield at 1.85%, compared with 0.88% for ESG.
MUNA is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while ESG is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for MUNA and 0.32% for ESG.
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