SUSA vs. FEUS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SUSA (iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF) and FEUS (FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while FEUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SUSA returned 19.45%/yr vs 18.84%/yr for FEUS. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SUSA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for FEUS.

Performance

SUSA vs. FEUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund (FEUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSA achieves a 9.38% return, which is significantly higher than FEUS's 8.26% return.

SUSA

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 9.38%
• 6M: 9.38%
• 1Y: 25.21%
• 3Y*: 19.45%
• 5Y*: 11.37%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

FEUS

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSA vs. FEUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	9.38%	15.72%	22.43%	23.88%	-21.38%	9.28%
FEUS FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund	8.26%	14.67%	23.10%	25.54%	-19.10%	9.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSA and FEUS is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2021	0.97

The correlation between SUSA and FEUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSA vs. FEUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSA	FEUS
Technology	40.2%	39.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	11.2%
Industrials	9.0%	8.0%
Healthcare	8.9%	8.2%
Communication Services	8.1%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	10.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.2%
Energy	3.5%	3.4%
Real Estate	2.9%	2.0%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.5%
Utilities	1.9%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SUSA vs. FEUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSA

SUSA Risk / Return Rank: 62
SUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FEUS

FEUS Risk / Return Rank: 59
FEUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FEUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
FEUS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FEUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FEUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. FEUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund (FEUS). 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.

	SUSA	FEUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.81	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.47	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.36	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.46	9.84	+0.62

SUSA vs. FEUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the FEUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSA and FEUS, 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

SUSA vs. FEUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSA drawdown since its inception was -53.93%, which is greater than FEUS's maximum drawdown of -25.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSA and FEUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSA	FEUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-25.31%	-28.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-9.55%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-19.47%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.42%	-2.58%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-6.33%	-0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.29%	-0.04%

Volatility

SUSA vs. FEUS - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund (FEUS) at 4.31%. This indicates that SUSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSA	FEUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	4.31%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.22%	9.76%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.85%	12.45%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.03%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	17.03%	+1.15%

SUSA vs. FEUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than FEUS's 0.09% 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. FEUS - Dividend Comparison

SUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than FEUS's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEUS FlexShares ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index Fund	1.00%	1.06%	1.15%	1.41%	1.48%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	0.84%	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 FEUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SUSA and FEUS 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 FEUS?

SUSA has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to FEUS (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSA dropped -53.93% vs FEUS's -25.31%.

Which ETF is better, SUSA or FEUS?

On 3-year performance, SUSA leads with 19.45% vs 18.84% for FEUS. On fees, FEUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FEUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSA or FEUS?

Over the 3-year period, SUSA has performed better with a 19.45% return vs 18.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSA or FEUS?

FEUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SUSA.

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

FEUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.84% for SUSA.

What is the main difference between SUSA and FEUS?

SUSA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FEUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. SUSA tracks MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while FEUS tracks Northern Trust ESG & Climate US Large Cap Core Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SUSA and 0.09% for FEUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.81), 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.