SUSA vs. ESGU

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

SUSA (iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF) and ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSA returned 11.34%/yr vs 12.20%/yr for ESGU. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SUSA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ESGU.

Performance

SUSA vs. ESGU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SUSA having a 8.54% return and ESGU slightly lower at 8.45%.

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%

ESGU

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 7.99%
• 1Y: 24.17%
• 3Y*: 21.00%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSA vs. ESGU - 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%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	8.45%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	22.54%	31.72%	-4.32%	21.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSA and ESGU is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2016	0.95

The correlation between SUSA and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSA vs. ESGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSA	ESGU
Technology	39.4%	39.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.1%
Industrials	10.2%	7.9%
Healthcare	9.0%	8.8%
Communication Services	8.5%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	9.3%
Energy	3.9%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	4.2%
Real Estate	3.1%	2.0%
Basic Materials	2.5%	2.0%
Utilities	1.3%	2.3%

Return for Risk

SUSA vs. ESGU — 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

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 62
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. ESGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) 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.

	SUSA	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.05	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.74	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.37	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.76	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	12.49	-1.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SUSA vs. ESGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the ESGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSA 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

	SUSA	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.05	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.71	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.82	-0.25

Drawdowns

SUSA vs. ESGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSA drawdown since its inception was -53.93%, which is greater than ESGU's maximum drawdown of -33.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSA and ESGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSA	ESGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-33.87%	-20.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-9.26%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-19.32%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-26.15%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-3.13%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-4.89%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	2.04%	+0.16%

Volatility

SUSA vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) have volatilities of 4.09% and 3.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSA	ESGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	3.96%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	9.64%	+0.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.66%	12.48%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	17.36%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	18.61%	-0.44%

SUSA vs. ESGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGU's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SUSA vs. ESGU - Dividend Comparison

SUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than ESGU's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.94%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%	0.00%	0.00%
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 ESGU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SUSA and ESGU 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, SUSA or ESGU?

SUSA has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to ESGU (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSA dropped -53.93% vs ESGU's -33.87%.

Which ETF is better, SUSA or ESGU?

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 12.20% vs 11.34% for SUSA. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 3.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSA or ESGU?

Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 12.20% return vs 11.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSA or ESGU?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SUSA.

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

ESGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.85% for SUSA.

What is the main difference between SUSA and ESGU?

SUSA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ESGU is Large Cap Blend Equities. SUSA tracks MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SUSA and 0.15% for ESGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.89), 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.