SUSB vs. SUSC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SUSB (iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF) and SUSC (iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from iShares - SUSB tracks the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate 1-5 Year ESG Focus Index while SUSC tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSB returned 2.24%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for SUSC. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SUSB charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for SUSC.

Performance

SUSB vs. SUSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSB) and iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSB achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly higher than SUSC's 0.60% return.

SUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 1.16%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.48%
• 5Y*: 2.24%
• 10Y*: —

SUSC

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 6.01%
• 3Y*: 5.14%
• 5Y*: 0.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSB vs. SUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SUSB iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF	0.65%	6.81%	4.83%	5.98%	-5.72%	-0.76%	4.96%	7.02%	0.54%	0.28%
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF	0.60%	7.57%	1.91%	8.58%	-15.95%	-1.57%	9.57%	14.43%	-3.13%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSB and SUSC is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2017	0.70

The correlation between SUSB and SUSC shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.86 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SUSB vs. SUSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSB

SUSB Risk / Return Rank: 71
SUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

SUSC

SUSC Risk / Return Rank: 39
SUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
SUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

SUSB vs. SUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSB) and iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC). 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.

	SUSB	SUSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.37	+1.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	2.03	+1.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.24	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	2.02	+1.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.48	6.29	+6.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SUSB vs. SUSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSB Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is higher than the SUSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSB and SUSC, 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

	SUSB	SUSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	1.37	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.07	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.30	+0.42

Drawdowns

SUSB vs. SUSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSB drawdown since its inception was -13.25%, smaller than the maximum SUSC drawdown of -22.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSB and SUSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSB	SUSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.25%	-22.42%	+9.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.49%	-2.87%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.49%	-6.57%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.57%	-22.42%	+12.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-1.23%	+0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.58%	-5.89%	+4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.92%	-0.56%

Volatility

SUSB vs. SUSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSB) is 0.64%, while iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) has a volatility of 1.43%. This indicates that SUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SUSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSB	SUSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	1.43%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.42%	3.24%	-1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93%	4.40%	-2.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.96%	7.19%	-4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.72%	7.63%	-3.91%

SUSB vs. SUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSB has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than SUSC's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SUSB vs. SUSC - Dividend Comparison

SUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, which matches SUSC's 4.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SUSB iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF	4.50%	4.40%	3.81%	2.81%	1.74%	1.30%	1.91%	2.83%	2.61%	0.96%
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF	4.49%	4.37%	4.34%	3.83%	2.97%	2.21%	2.19%	3.07%	3.33%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSB and SUSC in my portfolio?

SUSB and SUSC have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SUSB or SUSC?

SUSC has higher volatility (1.43%) compared to SUSB (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSB dropped -13.25% vs SUSC's -22.42%.

Which ETF is better, SUSB or SUSC?

On 5-year performance, SUSB leads with 2.24% vs 0.48% for SUSC. On fees, SUSB is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, SUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSB or SUSC?

Over the 5-year period, SUSB has performed better with a 2.24% return vs 0.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSB or SUSC?

SUSB is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for SUSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUSB or SUSC?

SUSB and SUSC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 4.50%.

What is the main difference between SUSB and SUSC?

SUSB tracks Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate 1-5 Year ESG Focus Index, while SUSC tracks Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for SUSB and 0.18% for SUSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.37), 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.