SUSL vs. DSI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and DSI (iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from iShares - SUSL tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index while DSI tracks the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSL returned 13.77%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for DSI. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SUSL charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DSI.

Performance

SUSL vs. DSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSL achieves a 9.27% return, which is significantly lower than DSI's 11.07% return.

SUSL

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 9.27%
• 6M: 10.06%
• 1Y: 27.64%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 5Y*: 13.77%
• 10Y*: —

DSI

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 5.41%
• YTD: 11.07%
• 6M: 11.58%
• 1Y: 28.93%
• 3Y*: 21.95%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 15.41%

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

SUSL vs. DSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	9.27%	18.97%	23.51%	29.08%	-20.22%	31.53%	18.89%	16.29%
DSI iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF	11.07%	18.03%	22.38%	28.51%	-21.71%	31.32%	20.94%	13.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and DSI 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	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019	0.97

The correlation between SUSL and DSI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSL vs. DSI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	DSI
Technology	36.9%	40.1%
Communication Services	14.5%	13.9%
Financial Services	10.6%	10.6%
Healthcare	9.6%	7.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	7.8%
Industrials	8.1%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	4.3%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.7%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.3%
Energy	2.1%	1.6%
Utilities	1.1%	1.0%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. DSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSL

SUSL Risk / Return Rank: 60
SUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DSI

DSI Risk / Return Rank: 62
DSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
DSI Omega Ratio Rank: 65
DSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DSI 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.

SUSL vs. DSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI). 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.

	SUSL	DSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.23	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	3.08	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.40	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.63	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	11.06	-0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SUSL vs. DSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the DSI Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL and DSI, 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

	SUSL	DSI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.23	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.74	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.55	+0.30

Drawdowns

SUSL vs. DSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, smaller than the maximum DSI drawdown of -54.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and DSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	DSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-54.23%	+19.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-11.05%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-20.58%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-28.36%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-1.19%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-7.52%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	2.62%	+0.02%

Volatility

SUSL vs. DSI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) is 3.68%, while iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI) has a volatility of 3.88%. This indicates that SUSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSL	DSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	3.88%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.98%	10.00%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.98%	13.03%	-0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.48%	17.92%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.80%	18.71%	+1.09%

SUSL vs. DSI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSL has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than DSI's 0.25% 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

SUSL vs. DSI - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, more than DSI's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSI iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF	0.85%	0.92%	1.03%	1.19%	1.39%	0.99%	1.22%	1.40%	1.63%	1.28%	1.51%	1.46%
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	0.93%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and DSI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SUSL and DSI 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, SUSL or DSI?

DSI has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to SUSL (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs DSI's -54.23%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or DSI?

On 5-year performance, SUSL leads with 13.77% vs 13.13% for DSI. On fees, SUSL is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, SUSL has been the lower-risk option at 3.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or DSI?

Over the 5-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 13.77% return vs 13.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or DSI?

SUSL is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUSL or DSI?

SUSL has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.85% for DSI.

What is the main difference between SUSL and DSI?

SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while DSI tracks MSCI KLD 400 Social Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for SUSL and 0.25% for DSI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.14), 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.