SUSL vs. IQSU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - SUSL tracks the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index while IQSU tracks the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSL returned 14.05%/yr vs 12.97%/yr for IQSU. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SUSL charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IQSU.

Performance

SUSL vs. IQSU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSL achieves a 10.64% return, which is significantly lower than IQSU's 13.69% return.

SUSL

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 5.15%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 29.23%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 14.05%
• 10Y*: —

IQSU

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 5.78%
• YTD: 13.69%
• 6M: 14.19%
• 1Y: 30.14%
• 3Y*: 19.93%
• 5Y*: 12.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSL vs. IQSU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	10.64%	18.97%	23.51%	29.08%	-20.22%	31.53%	18.89%	0.92%
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	13.69%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	1.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and IQSU is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.93

The correlation between SUSL and IQSU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSL vs. IQSU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	IQSU
Technology	36.9%	34.0%
Communication Services	14.5%	15.0%
Financial Services	10.6%	11.7%
Healthcare	9.6%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	14.8%
Industrials	8.1%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.8%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.7%
Energy	2.1%	1.3%
Utilities	1.1%	1.2%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. IQSU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSL

SUSL Risk / Return Rank: 65
SUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 62

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 63
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. IQSU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU). 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	IQSU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.19	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.98	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.71	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	11.03	+0.07
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. IQSU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the IQSU Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL and IQSU, 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	IQSU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.19	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.73	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.80	+0.07

Drawdowns

SUSL vs. IQSU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, which is greater than IQSU's maximum drawdown of -31.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and IQSU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	IQSU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-31.29%	-2.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-11.18%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-20.96%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-26.76%	-0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	0.00%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-5.98%	+0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	2.74%	-0.10%

Volatility

SUSL vs. IQSU - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) has a higher volatility of 3.80% compared to IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) at 3.48%. This indicates that SUSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IQSU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSL	IQSU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	3.48%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	9.83%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	13.85%	-0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.48%	17.88%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.80%	20.67%	-0.87%

SUSL vs. IQSU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSL has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than IQSU'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

SUSL vs. IQSU - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than IQSU's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	0.92%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and IQSU in my portfolio?

SUSL and IQSU have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SUSL or IQSU?

SUSL has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to IQSU (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs IQSU's -31.29%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or IQSU?

On 5-year performance, SUSL leads with 14.05% vs 12.97% for IQSU. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IQSU has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or IQSU?

Over the 5-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 14.05% return vs 12.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or IQSU?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for SUSL.

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

IQSU has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.92% for SUSL.

What is the main difference between SUSL and IQSU?

SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and New York Life. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for SUSL and 0.09% for IQSU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.19), 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.