ESGD vs VXUS
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ESGD or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESGD led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | ESGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $12.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.25% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 378 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.43% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.31% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.40% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.72% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Tie | 14.8%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -36.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,190 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 30, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.2 years).
ESGD 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 10.2 years both funds cover.
ESGD vs VXUS Performance
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) 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 ESGD returned +22.31% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ESGD is up 13.43% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, ESGD compounded at +18.40% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.72% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESGD has the edge at +8.97% annualized vs +8.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESGD and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.8% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -36.3% for ESGD 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESGD charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESGD currently yields 3.25% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.2% of ESGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of ESGD is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
244 positions in common, counted across the 355 positions we hold weights for in ESGD and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 378 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ESGD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv Unsponsored Adr Ordinary Shares | 3.16% | 1.70% | 1.46% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.61% | 0.72% | 0.89% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.50% | 0.65% | 0.85% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.23% | 0.52% | 0.71% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.10% | 0.59% | 0.51% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 0.94% | 0.62% | 0.32% |
| CBA:AUPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -9 | 1.07% | 0.42% | 0.65% |
| SHELShell plc | 0.98% | 0.48% | 0.50% |
| SAP:SGSap Se | 1.07% | 0.35% | 0.72% |
| ABBN:SMABB Ltd. - Ordinary Shares | 1.03% | 0.37% | 0.66% |
72.2% of ESGD is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ESGD or VXUS?
ESGD has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESGD or VXUS?
Over the past year ESGD returned +22.31% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESGD annualized +8.97% vs +8.75% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESGD or VXUS?
ESGD and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.8% annualized. Worst drawdown: ESGD -36.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ESGD and VXUS?
ESGD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ESGD and VXUS?
At least 72.2% of ESGD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 244 positions in common, counted across the 355 positions we hold weights for in ESGD and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESGD or VXUS?
ESGD yields 3.25% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so ESGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ESGD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESGD led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.