SUSL vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SUSL (iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSL returned 14.05%/yr vs 12.80%/yr for VTI. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SUSL charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

SUSL vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 VTI's 11.72% return.

SUSL

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

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

SUSL vs. VTI - 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%	16.29%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSL and VTI is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019	0.95

The correlation between SUSL and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSL vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSL	VTI
Technology	36.9%	33.5%
Communication Services	14.5%	10.3%
Financial Services	10.6%	12.0%
Healthcare	9.6%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	10.0%
Industrials	8.1%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.0%
Energy	2.1%	3.7%
Utilities	1.1%	2.3%

Return for Risk

SUSL vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.38	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.24	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	3.24	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	14.94	-3.84
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSL and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.38	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.74	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.51	+0.36

Drawdowns

SUSL vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSL drawdown since its inception was -34.26%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSL and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSL	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.26%	-55.45%	+21.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-8.92%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-19.30%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-25.36%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.26%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-8.03%	+2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	1.93%	+0.71%

Volatility

SUSL vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) has a higher volatility of 3.80% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.90%. This indicates that SUSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSL	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	2.90%	+0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	9.13%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	12.17%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.48%	17.40%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.80%	18.30%	+1.50%

SUSL vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSL has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

SUSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SUSL iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF	0.92%	0.99%	1.10%	1.27%	1.57%	1.12%	1.38%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSL and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SUSL and VTI 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 VTI?

SUSL has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSL dropped -34.26% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, SUSL or VTI?

On 5-year performance, SUSL leads with 14.05% vs 12.80% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSL or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, SUSL has performed better with a 14.05% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSL or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for SUSL.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.92% for SUSL.

What is the main difference between SUSL and VTI?

SUSL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. SUSL tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Leaders Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for SUSL and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.26), 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.