SUSA vs. DNL

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

SUSA (iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF) and DNL (WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while DNL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SUSA returned 14.68%/yr vs 8.64%/yr for DNL. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SUSA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DNL.

Performance

SUSA vs. DNL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DNL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSA achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than DNL's 7.03% return. Over the past 10 years, SUSA has outperformed DNL with an annualized return of 14.68%, while DNL has yielded a comparatively lower 8.64% annualized return.

SUSA

• 1D: -2.66%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 7.88%
• 1Y: 22.91%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 14.68%

DNL

• 1D: -4.03%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 6M: 7.95%
• 1Y: 14.15%
• 3Y*: 9.74%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 8.64%

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

SUSA vs. DNL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	8.54%	15.72%	22.43%	23.88%	-21.38%	30.45%	24.66%	32.10%	-5.67%	22.52%
DNL WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund	7.03%	17.03%	-0.61%	17.00%	-22.38%	16.14%	18.22%	36.23%	-14.76%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSA and DNL is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.73

The correlation between SUSA and DNL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSA vs. DNL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSA	DNL
Technology	39.4%	33.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	4.0%
Industrials	10.2%	16.3%
Healthcare	9.0%	10.6%
Communication Services	8.5%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	18.5%
Energy	3.9%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	1.2%
Real Estate	3.1%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	3.2%
Utilities	1.3%	0.5%

Return for Risk

SUSA vs. DNL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSA

SUSA Risk / Return Rank: 57
SUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 62

DNL

DNL Risk / Return Rank: 25
DNL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DNL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
DNL Omega Ratio Rank: 23
DNL Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
DNL Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SUSA vs. DNL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DNL). 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.

	SUSA	DNL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	0.80	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	1.23	+1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.15	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	1.18	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	4.21	+6.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SUSA vs. DNL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the DNL Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSA and DNL, 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

	SUSA	DNL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	0.80	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.19	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.46	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.26	+0.31

Drawdowns

SUSA vs. DNL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSA drawdown since its inception was -53.93%, which is greater than DNL's maximum drawdown of -44.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSA and DNL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSA	DNL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-44.53%	-9.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-12.42%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-20.15%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-34.85%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.93%	-34.85%	+1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-4.03%	+0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-10.17%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	3.47%	-1.27%

Volatility

SUSA vs. DNL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) is 4.09%, while WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DNL) has a volatility of 6.49%. This indicates that SUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DNL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSA	DNL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	6.49%	-2.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	15.55%	-5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.66%	18.35%	-5.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	18.29%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	18.70%	-0.53%

SUSA vs. DNL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than DNL's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

SUSA vs. DNL - Dividend Comparison

SUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than DNL's 1.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DNL WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund	1.71%	2.06%	2.30%	1.81%	4.82%	1.38%	1.76%	1.93%	2.55%	1.86%	2.51%	1.98%
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	0.85%	0.89%	1.15%	1.32%	1.52%	0.98%	1.17%	1.52%	1.72%	1.40%	1.56%	1.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSA and DNL in my portfolio?

SUSA and DNL have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SUSA or DNL?

DNL has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to SUSA (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSA dropped -53.93% vs DNL's -44.53%.

Which ETF is better, SUSA or DNL?

On 10-year performance, SUSA leads with 14.68% vs 8.64% for DNL. On fees, SUSA is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SUSA has been the lower-risk option at 4.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSA or DNL?

Over the 10-year period, SUSA has performed better with a 14.68% return vs 8.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSA or DNL?

SUSA is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DNL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUSA or DNL?

DNL has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 0.85% for SUSA.

What is the main difference between SUSA and DNL?

SUSA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DNL is Foreign Large Cap Equities. SUSA tracks MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while DNL tracks WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SUSA and 0.58% for DNL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.80), 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.