SUSC vs. MILK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SUSC (iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF) and MILK (Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - SUSC tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index while MILK tracks the Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SUSC returned 5.00% vs 7.66% for MILK. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SUSC charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for MILK.

Performance

SUSC vs. MILK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) and Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSC achieves a 0.71% return, which is significantly lower than MILK's 2.49% return.

SUSC

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.84%
• 1Y: 5.00%
• 3Y*: 5.10%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: —

MILK

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 7.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSC vs. MILK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF	0.71%	7.57%	-1.10%
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	2.49%	7.49%	-1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSC and MILK is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2024	0.94

The correlation between SUSC and MILK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SUSC vs. MILK — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSC

SUSC Risk / Return Rank: 34
SUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
SUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
SUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 36

MILK

MILK Risk / Return Rank: 46
MILK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
MILK Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
MILK Omega Ratio Rank: 45
MILK Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
MILK Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

SUSC vs. MILK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) and Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK). 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.

	SUSC	MILK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.50	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.17	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.27	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.05	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	7.38	-2.10

SUSC vs. MILK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the MILK Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSC and MILK, 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

SUSC vs. MILK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSC drawdown since its inception was -22.42%, which is greater than MILK's maximum drawdown of -6.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSC and MILK.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSC	MILK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.42%	-6.16%	-16.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	-3.75%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-0.23%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.86%	-1.13%	-4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.04%	-0.09%

Volatility

SUSC vs. MILK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) is 1.12%, while Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) has a volatility of 1.26%. This indicates that SUSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MILK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSC	MILK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.12%	1.26%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.28%	3.80%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	5.15%	-0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.18%	6.69%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.61%	6.69%	+0.92%

SUSC vs. MILK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSC has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than MILK's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SUSC vs. MILK - Dividend Comparison

SUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.48%, less than MILK's 7.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	7.02%	6.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF	4.48%	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 SUSC and MILK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SUSC and MILK 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, SUSC or MILK?

MILK has higher volatility (1.26%) compared to SUSC (1.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSC dropped -22.42% vs MILK's -6.16%.

Which ETF is better, SUSC or MILK?

On 1-year performance, MILK leads with 7.66% vs 5.00% for SUSC. On fees, SUSC is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SUSC has been the lower-risk option at 1.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSC or MILK?

Over the 1-year period, MILK has performed better with a 7.66% return vs 5.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSC or MILK?

SUSC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MILK.

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

MILK has the higher dividend yield at 7.02%, compared with 4.48% for SUSC.

What is the main difference between SUSC and MILK?

SUSC tracks Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index, while MILK tracks Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for SUSC and 0.49% for MILK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MILK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.15), 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.