SUSA vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

SUSA (iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SUSA returned 14.68%/yr vs 15.23%/yr for VOO. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SUSA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

SUSA vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 VOO slightly lower at 8.45%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SUSA having a 14.68% annualized return and VOO not far ahead at 15.23%.

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%

VOO

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 24.60%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

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

SUSA vs. VOO - 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSA and VOO is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.96

The correlation between SUSA and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSA vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSA	VOO
Technology	39.4%	35.7%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.6%
Industrials	10.2%	8.3%
Healthcare	9.0%	8.5%
Communication Services	8.5%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	10.2%
Energy	3.9%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	4.9%
Real Estate	3.1%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.5%	1.8%
Utilities	1.3%	2.4%

Return for Risk

SUSA vs. VOO — 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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 66
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.15	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.89	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.92	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	13.53	-2.70
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. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSA and VOO, 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.15	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.80	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.85	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.88	-0.31

Drawdowns

SUSA vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSA drawdown since its inception was -53.93%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSA and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSA	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-33.99%	-19.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-8.90%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-18.69%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-24.52%	-3.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.93%	-33.99%	+1.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-2.90%	-0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-3.69%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	1.92%	+0.28%

Volatility

SUSA vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) has a higher volatility of 4.09% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.74%. This indicates that SUSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSA	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	3.74%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	9.30%	+0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.66%	12.10%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	16.84%	+0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	18.02%	+0.15%

SUSA vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% 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. VOO - Dividend Comparison

SUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than VOO's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSA and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SUSA and VOO 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 VOO?

SUSA has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to VOO (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSA dropped -53.93% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, SUSA or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.23% vs 14.68% for SUSA. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSA or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.23% return vs 14.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSA or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SUSA.

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

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.85% for SUSA.

What is the main difference between SUSA and VOO?

SUSA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. SUSA tracks MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SUSA and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 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.