SUSL vs. PABU

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and PABU (iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while PABU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select PAB Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SUSL returned 20.40%/yr vs 16.34%/yr for PABU. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

SUSL vs. PABU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSL achieves a 10.20% return, which is significantly higher than PABU's 5.10% return.

SUSL

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 1.50%
• 6M: 8.16%
• YTD: 10.20%
• 1Y: 22.79%
• 3Y*: 20.40%
• 5Y*: 13.21%
• 10Y*: —

PABU

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 5.27%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 1Y: 14.45%
• 3Y*: 16.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSL vs. PABU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	10.20%	18.97%	23.51%	29.08%	-14.60%
PABU iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF	5.10%	13.08%	24.84%	29.51%	-15.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and PABU is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2022	0.93

The correlation between SUSL and PABU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSL vs. PABU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	PABU
Technology	36.6%	51.5%
Communication Services	13.7%	8.4%
Financial Services	10.3%	7.1%
Healthcare	9.7%	5.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	6.4%
Industrials	8.2%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	-
Real Estate	2.1%	16.2%
Energy	2.0%	0.7%
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.5%
Utilities	0.9%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. PABU — 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: 65
SUSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SUSL Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SUSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SUSL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

PABU

PABU Risk / Return Rank: 31
PABU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
PABU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PABU Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PABU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PABU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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. PABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF (PABU). 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	PABU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.01	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	1.44	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.18	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	1.08	+0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	3.44	+4.99

SUSL vs. PABU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the PABU Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL and PABU, 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. PABU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, which is greater than PABU's maximum drawdown of -22.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and PABU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	PABU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-22.76%	-11.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-13.40%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-20.85%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-5.15%	+4.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-5.62%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	4.21%	-1.50%

Volatility

SUSL vs. PABU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) is 3.75%, while iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF (PABU) has a volatility of 4.97%. This indicates that SUSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PABU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSL	PABU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	4.97%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	11.87%	-0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.51%	14.38%	-0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.58%	18.71%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	18.71%	+1.03%

SUSL vs. PABU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SUSL and PABU have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SUSL vs. PABU - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, more than PABU's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PABU iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF	0.93%	0.90%	1.00%	1.06%	1.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	0.94%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and PABU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SUSL and PABU 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 PABU?

PABU has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to SUSL (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs PABU's -22.76%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or PABU?

On 3-year performance, SUSL leads with 20.40% vs 16.34% for PABU. Both ETFs have the same 0.10% expense ratio. On volatility, SUSL has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or PABU?

Over the 3-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 20.40% return vs 16.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or PABU?

SUSL and PABU have the same expense ratio: 0.10% per year.

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

SUSL has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.93% for PABU.

What is the main difference between SUSL and PABU?

SUSL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PABU is Large Cap Blend Equities. SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while PABU tracks MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select PAB Index (USD).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.01), 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.