PABD vs. FEDM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PABD (iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF) and FEDM (FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - PABD tracks the MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net while FEDM tracks the Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PABD returned 19.72% vs 17.29% for FEDM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.12% expense ratio.

Performance

PABD vs. FEDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PABD achieves a 6.96% return, which is significantly higher than FEDM's 5.75% return.

PABD

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: 6.96%
• 6M: 6.59%
• 1Y: 19.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FEDM

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 5.75%
• 6M: 5.44%
• 1Y: 17.29%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PABD vs. FEDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	6.96%	30.06%	5.32%
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	5.75%	26.85%	5.33%

Correlation

The correlation between PABD and FEDM is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2024	0.92

The correlation between PABD and FEDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

PABD vs. FEDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PABD	FEDM
Financial Services	29.8%	27.0%
Industrials	15.7%	17.3%
Technology	14.5%	11.9%
Healthcare	11.4%	9.8%
Real Estate	6.1%	1.7%
Basic Materials	5.0%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	6.9%
Utilities	4.4%	3.3%
Communication Services	3.1%	5.0%
Energy	0.2%	5.4%

Return for Risk

PABD vs. FEDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PABD

PABD Risk / Return Rank: 36
PABD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PABD Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
PABD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PABD Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PABD Martin Ratio Rank: 40

FEDM

FEDM Risk / Return Rank: 32
FEDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FEDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FEDM Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FEDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FEDM Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

PABD vs. FEDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM). 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.

	PABD	FEDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.05	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	1.59	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.20	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	1.46	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.90	5.22	+0.68

PABD vs. FEDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PABD Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the FEDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PABD and FEDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PABD vs. FEDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PABD drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum FEDM drawdown of -29.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PABD and FEDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PABD	FEDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-29.37%	+16.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.55%	-11.92%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.88%	-2.27%	+0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.61%	-6.93%	+4.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	3.32%	+0.03%

Volatility

PABD vs. FEDM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM) at 4.60%. This indicates that PABD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PABD	FEDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	4.60%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.67%	12.99%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.03%	16.49%	-0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.66%	16.48%	-0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.66%	16.48%	-0.82%

PABD vs. FEDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PABD and FEDM have an expense ratio of 0.12%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PABD vs. FEDM - Dividend Comparison

PABD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, which matches FEDM's 3.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	3.02%	2.97%	2.94%	2.61%	2.53%	0.62%
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	3.05%	2.74%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PABD and FEDM in my portfolio?

PABD and FEDM have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PABD or FEDM?

PABD has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to FEDM (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PABD dropped -13.37% vs FEDM's -29.37%.

Which ETF is better, PABD or FEDM?

On 1-year performance, PABD leads with 19.72% vs 17.29% for FEDM. Both ETFs have the same 0.12% expense ratio. On volatility, FEDM has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PABD or FEDM?

Over the 1-year period, PABD has performed better with a 19.72% return vs 17.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PABD or FEDM?

PABD and FEDM have the same expense ratio: 0.12% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PABD or FEDM?

PABD has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 3.02% for FEDM.

What is the main difference between PABD and FEDM?

PABD tracks MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FEDM tracks Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FlexShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PABD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.05), 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.