PAXWX vs. ESGV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PAXWX (Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund) and ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) are both funds - PAXWX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Pax World, while ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index. Over the past 5 years, PAXWX returned 5.46%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for ESGV. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAXWX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for ESGV.

Performance

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAXWX achieves a 4.41% return, which is significantly lower than ESGV's 7.75% return.

PAXWX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 4.41%
• 6M: 3.82%
• 1Y: 12.53%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: 5.46%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

ESGV

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 6.70%
• 1Y: 23.45%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 11.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PAXWX Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund	4.41%	10.87%	12.61%	13.19%	-16.50%	15.31%	16.23%	20.84%	-8.03%
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	7.75%	16.48%	24.69%	30.79%	-24.04%	26.55%	25.69%	33.36%	-14.45%

Correlation

The correlation between PAXWX and ESGV is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2018	0.94

The correlation between PAXWX and ESGV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PAXWX vs. ESGV — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAXWX

PAXWX Risk / Return Rank: 36
PAXWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PAXWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PAXWX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PAXWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PAXWX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 48
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV). 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.

	PAXWX	ESGV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.67	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.29	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	2.03	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.58	8.48	+0.11

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAXWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the ESGV Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAXWX and ESGV, 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

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAXWX drawdown since its inception was -40.11%, which is greater than ESGV's maximum drawdown of -33.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAXWX and ESGV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAXWX	ESGV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.11%	-33.66%	-6.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.41%	-11.60%	+5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.22%	-20.41%	+9.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.64%	-28.81%	+7.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-3.56%	+2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-6.40%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	2.77%	-1.24%

Volatility

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX) is 3.09%, while Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) has a volatility of 5.61%. This indicates that PAXWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAXWX	ESGV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	5.61%	-2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.66%	11.26%	-4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.21%	14.15%	-5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.82%	18.48%	-7.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.77%	20.60%	-9.83%

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAXWX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGV's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAXWX vs. ESGV - Dividend Comparison

PAXWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.23%, more than ESGV's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.89%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PAXWX Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund	9.23%	9.64%	8.33%	3.37%	6.24%	4.85%	2.80%	9.31%	2.90%	10.90%	3.02%	8.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAXWX and ESGV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PAXWX and ESGV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PAXWX or ESGV?

ESGV has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to PAXWX (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAXWX dropped -40.11% vs ESGV's -33.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.60), 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.