XJH vs. ESGD

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

XJH (iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Sustainability Screened Index, while ESGD is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XJH returned 8.10%/yr vs 8.21%/yr for ESGD. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XJH charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ESGD.

Performance

XJH vs. ESGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJH achieves a 15.50% return, which is significantly higher than ESGD's 9.85% return.

XJH

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 5.84%
• YTD: 15.50%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 29.19%
• 3Y*: 15.17%
• 5Y*: 8.10%
• 10Y*: —

ESGD

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 21.72%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 8.21%
• 10Y*: —

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

XJH vs. ESGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
XJH iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF	15.50%	8.12%	12.27%	16.74%	-14.36%	23.43%	29.59%
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	9.85%	29.63%	3.95%	18.53%	-15.17%	11.79%	17.33%

Correlation

The correlation between XJH and ESGD is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2020	0.74

The correlation between XJH and ESGD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

XJH vs. ESGD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XJH	ESGD
Industrials	26.8%	18.2%
Technology	16.7%	12.6%
Financial Services	14.0%	25.8%
Healthcare	9.7%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	6.6%
Real Estate	8.1%	1.6%
Basic Materials	5.0%	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	7.0%
Energy	2.9%	3.9%
Utilities	1.5%	3.7%
Communication Services	1.1%	4.3%

Return for Risk

XJH vs. ESGD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJH

XJH Risk / Return Rank: 60
XJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XJH Omega Ratio Rank: 52
XJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
XJH Martin Ratio Rank: 67

ESGD

ESGD Risk / Return Rank: 43
ESGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
ESGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ESGD Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ESGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
ESGD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

XJH vs. ESGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). 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.

	XJH	ESGD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.38	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.01	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	1.87	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.24	6.97	+4.27

XJH vs. ESGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJH Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the ESGD Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJH and ESGD, 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

XJH vs. ESGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJH drawdown since its inception was -25.07%, smaller than the maximum ESGD drawdown of -33.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJH and ESGD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJH	ESGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.07%	-33.70%	+8.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	-11.68%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.56%	-13.86%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.07%	-30.03%	+4.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-6.17%	-0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	3.13%	-0.53%

Volatility

XJH vs. ESGD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH) is 5.22%, while iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that XJH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XJH	ESGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	5.58%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.32%	13.32%	-1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.61%	15.82%	+0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.99%	16.73%	+3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.89%	17.00%	+2.89%

XJH vs. ESGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJH has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than ESGD's 0.20% 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

XJH vs. ESGD - Dividend Comparison

XJH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than ESGD's 4.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	4.92%	3.60%	3.23%	3.02%	2.59%	2.75%	1.63%	2.57%	2.69%	2.65%	0.09%
XJH iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF	1.31%	1.24%	1.24%	1.38%	1.45%	1.04%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJH and ESGD in my portfolio?

XJH and ESGD have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJH or ESGD?

ESGD has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to XJH (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJH dropped -25.07% vs ESGD's -33.70%.

Which ETF is better, XJH or ESGD?

On 5-year performance, ESGD leads with 8.21% vs 8.10% for XJH. On fees, XJH is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, XJH has been the lower-risk option at 5.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJH or ESGD?

Over the 5-year period, ESGD has performed better with a 8.21% return vs 8.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJH or ESGD?

XJH is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for ESGD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJH or ESGD?

ESGD has the higher dividend yield at 4.92%, compared with 1.31% for XJH.

What is the main difference between XJH and ESGD?

XJH is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while ESGD is Foreign Large Cap Equities. XJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Sustainability Screened Index, while ESGD tracks MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for XJH and 0.20% for ESGD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.38), 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.