ESGU vs VXUS
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ESGU or VXUS?
ESGU has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESGU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ESGU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $18.2B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.93% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 273 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +13.44%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +17.33%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.02%Best | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.9 years).
ESGU vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.9 years both funds cover.
ESGU vs VXUS Performance
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESGU returned +17.33% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, ESGU is up 13.44% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, ESGU compounded at +22.02% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESGU has the edge at +14.35% annualized vs +8.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESGU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 15.1% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for ESGU and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESGU charges 0.15% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $5 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESGU currently yields 0.93% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.6% of ESGU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ESGU and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 270 positions we hold weights for in ESGU and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 273 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ESGU and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ESGU or VXUS?
ESGU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESGU or VXUS?
Over the past year ESGU returned +17.33% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so ESGU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESGU annualized +14.35% vs +8.09% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESGU or VXUS?
ESGU has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ESGU -33.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ESGU and VXUS?
ESGU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ESGU and VXUS?
At least 3.6% of ESGU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 270 positions we hold weights for in ESGU and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESGU or VXUS?
ESGU yields 0.93% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ESGU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESGU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.