SGLC vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SGLC (SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SGLC is actively managed, while ESN is passively managed. Over the past year, SGLC returned 28.98% vs 27.64% for ESN. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SGLC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

SGLC vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (SGLC) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGLC achieves a 15.05% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 16.65% return.

SGLC

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 10.93%
• YTD: 15.05%
• 1Y: 28.98%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.89%

ESN

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -0.26%
• 6M: 12.11%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 1Y: 27.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.50%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.17M	$1.60M	$1.63M
SGLC SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF	$554.91K	$515.82K	$530.23K

SGLC vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SGLC SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF	15.05%	17.30%	-0.96%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	16.65%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SGLC and ESN is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.70

The correlation between SGLC and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SGLC vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SGLC

SGLC Risk / Return Rank: 80
SGLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SGLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
SGLC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SGLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
SGLC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 93
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SGLC vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (SGLC) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	SGLC	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.65	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	3.65	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.46	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	4.12	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.81	16.52	-4.71

SGLC vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGLC and ESN, 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

SGLC vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGLC drawdown since its inception was -20.24%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGLC and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGLC	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.24%	-13.60%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-6.42%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.53%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.41%	-1.81%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	1.60%	+0.70%

Volatility

SGLC vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (SGLC) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.65%. This indicates that SGLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGLC	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	2.65%	+1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	7.51%	+4.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	9.98%	+4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	13.04%	+3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.05%	13.04%	+3.01%

SGLC vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGLC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGLC vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

SGLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, less than ESN's 0.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.78%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%
SGLC SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF	0.20%	0.23%	8.68%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGLC and ESN in my portfolio?

SGLC and ESN have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGLC or ESN?

SGLC has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to ESN (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGLC dropped -20.24% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, SGLC or ESN?

On 1-year performance, SGLC leads with 28.98% vs 27.64% for ESN. On fees, ESN is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SGLC or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, SGLC has performed better with a 28.98% return vs 27.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SGLC or ESN?

ESN is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for SGLC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SGLC or ESN?

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.20% for SGLC.

What is the main difference between SGLC and ESN?

They also come from different issuers: Summit Global Investments and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for SGLC and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.87), 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.