PPIE vs. ESGU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PPIE (Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF -) and ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PPIE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. PPIE is actively managed, while ESGU is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PPIE returned 18.63%/yr vs 22.24%/yr for ESGU. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PPIE charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ESGU.

Performance

PPIE vs. ESGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF - (PPIE) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPIE achieves a 8.32% return, which is significantly lower than ESGU's 11.53% return.

PPIE

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.69%
• YTD: 8.32%
• 6M: 10.10%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ESGU

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.39%
• 3Y*: 22.24%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: —

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

PPIE vs. ESGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PPIE Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF -	8.32%	32.77%	7.67%	9.66%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	11.53%	16.90%	24.31%	21.41%

Correlation

The correlation between PPIE and ESGU is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2023	0.71

The correlation between PPIE and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

PPIE vs. ESGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PPIE	ESGU
Financial Services	24.8%	11.5%
Industrials	20.3%	8.4%
Technology	15.9%	38.7%
Healthcare	10.7%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	3.9%
Basic Materials	5.4%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	9.4%
Communication Services	3.3%	9.8%
Energy	3.0%	3.5%
Utilities	2.9%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.0%	2.1%

Return for Risk

PPIE vs. ESGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPIE

PPIE Risk / Return Rank: 38
PPIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
PPIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PPIE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PPIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PPIE Martin Ratio Rank: 41

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 71
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

PPIE vs. ESGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF - (PPIE) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU). 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.

	PPIE	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.35	-0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.17	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.42	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	3.08	-1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.37	14.02	-7.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PPIE vs. ESGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPIE Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the ESGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPIE and ESGU, 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

	PPIE	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.35	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	0.84	+0.32

Drawdowns

PPIE vs. ESGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPIE drawdown since its inception was -13.55%, smaller than the maximum ESGU drawdown of -33.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPIE and ESGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPIE	ESGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-33.87%	+20.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-9.26%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.55%	-19.32%	+5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.15%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.38%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.51%	-4.89%	+2.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	2.03%	+1.21%

Volatility

PPIE vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF - (PPIE) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) at 2.86%. This indicates that PPIE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPIE	ESGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	2.86%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.30%	9.20%	+3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.24%	12.15%	+3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.82%	17.32%	-2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.82%	18.59%	-3.77%

PPIE vs. ESGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPIE has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGU's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPIE vs. ESGU - Dividend Comparison

PPIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.06%, more than ESGU's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.91%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%
PPIE Putnam Panagora ESG International Equity ETF -	12.06%	8.40%	5.12%	3.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPIE and ESGU in my portfolio?

PPIE and ESGU have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PPIE or ESGU?

PPIE has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to ESGU (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPIE dropped -13.55% vs ESGU's -33.87%.

Which ETF is better, PPIE or ESGU?

On 3-year performance, ESGU leads with 22.24% vs 18.63% for PPIE. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPIE or ESGU?

Over the 3-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 22.24% return vs 18.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPIE or ESGU?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PPIE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PPIE or ESGU?

PPIE has the higher dividend yield at 12.06%, compared with 0.91% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between PPIE and ESGU?

PPIE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ESGU is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Putnam and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PPIE and 0.15% for ESGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.36), 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.