TACU vs. ESN

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

TACU (T. Rowe Price Active Core U.S. Equity ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. TACU is actively managed, while ESN is passively managed. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TACU charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

TACU vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Active Core U.S. Equity ETF (TACU) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TACU achieves a 9.87% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 16.08% return.

TACU

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 10.51%
• YTD: 9.87%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

ESN

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 12.79%
• YTD: 16.08%
• 1Y: 24.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.45%

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

TACU vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TACU T. Rowe Price Active Core U.S. Equity ETF	9.87%	-0.70%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	16.08%	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between TACU and ESN is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.71

Return for Risk

TACU vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

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

TACU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 90
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

TACU vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Active Core U.S. Equity ETF (TACU) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	TACU	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.45	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.42	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.43	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.78	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	14.77	—

Drawdowns

TACU vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TACU drawdown since its inception was -8.91%, smaller than the maximum ESN drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TACU and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	TACU	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.91%	-13.60%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.93%	-0.77%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.55%	-1.82%	+0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.64%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TACU	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.17%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.51%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.42%	9.90%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.42%	13.08%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.42%	13.08%	+0.34%

TACU vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

TACU has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

TACU vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

TACU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ESN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.78%	0.91%	0.76%
TACU T. Rowe Price Active Core U.S. Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TACU and ESN in my portfolio?

TACU and ESN have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TACU or ESN?

On fees, TACU is cheaper at 0.14% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, TACU or ESN?

TACU is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TACU or ESN?

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.00% for TACU.

What is the main difference between TACU and ESN?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and KKM Financial. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for TACU and 0.70% for ESN.