SUSL vs. LDEM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and LDEM (iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while LDEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSL returned 14.02%/yr vs 2.60%/yr for LDEM. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SUSL charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for LDEM.

Performance

SUSL vs. LDEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSL achieves a 10.40% return, which is significantly higher than LDEM's 8.26% return.

SUSL

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 10.40%
• 6M: 11.04%
• 1Y: 28.66%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: —

LDEM

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 6M: 9.66%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 13.85%
• 5Y*: 2.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSL vs. LDEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	10.40%	18.97%	23.51%	29.08%	-20.22%	31.53%	12.91%
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	8.26%	32.49%	5.87%	6.49%	-22.46%	-2.03%	16.30%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and LDEM is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2020	0.59

The correlation between SUSL and LDEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSL vs. LDEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	LDEM
Technology	35.2%	25.9%
Communication Services	13.5%	10.6%
Financial Services	10.5%	24.7%
Healthcare	10.0%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	12.6%
Industrials	8.1%	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	2.9%
Energy	2.1%	4.2%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.4%
Basic Materials	2.0%	6.4%
Utilities	1.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. LDEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSL

SUSL Risk / Return Rank: 67
SUSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 39
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
LDEM 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.

SUSL vs. LDEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM). 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.

	SUSL	LDEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.28	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	1.81	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	1.83	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.76	5.76	+5.00

SUSL vs. LDEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the LDEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL and LDEM, 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

SUSL vs. LDEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, smaller than the maximum LDEM drawdown of -40.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and LDEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	LDEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-40.82%	+6.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-13.21%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-15.12%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-39.17%	+12.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-2.72%	+2.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-17.30%	+11.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	4.19%	-1.52%

Volatility

SUSL vs. LDEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) is 4.91%, while iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) has a volatility of 8.65%. This indicates that SUSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LDEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSL	LDEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	8.65%	-3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.72%	15.64%	-4.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.44%	18.96%	-5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.56%	19.34%	-1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.81%	20.87%	-1.06%

SUSL vs. LDEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSL has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than LDEM's 0.16% 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. LDEM - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than LDEM's 3.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	3.83%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%	0.00%
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	1.13%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and LDEM in my portfolio?

SUSL and LDEM have a correlation of 0.68, 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 LDEM?

LDEM has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to SUSL (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs LDEM's -40.82%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or LDEM?

On 5-year performance, SUSL leads with 14.02% vs 2.60% for LDEM. On fees, SUSL is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, SUSL has been the lower-risk option at 4.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or LDEM?

Over the 5-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 14.02% return vs 2.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or LDEM?

SUSL is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for LDEM.

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

LDEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.83%, compared with 1.13% for SUSL.

What is the main difference between SUSL and LDEM?

SUSL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while LDEM is Emerging Markets Equities. SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while LDEM tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for SUSL and 0.16% for LDEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.28), 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.