What Is the SUSA ETF? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs Explained
The iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF (SUSA) holds US large- and mid-cap companies with favorable ESG ratings. Its sector-neutral design, quarterly distributions, and fee burden are the main factors shaping its outlook and how investors choose among similar products.
SubscribeWhat Is the iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF?
The fund tracks an index that adjusts stock weights based on environmental, social, and governance ratings across US large- and mid-cap stocks. The core of the design is to keep sector weights close to those of the parent index, which reduces the risk of concentrating in any one industry.
It suits long-term investors who want a portfolio diversified across the US market that also reflects ESG criteria.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by BlackRock (iShares).
How Does the iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | MSCI USA family ESG index |
| Management style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing frequency | Quarterly |
| Dividend/distribution frequency | Quarterly distributions |
| Expense ratio | 0.25% |
| Issuer | BlackRock (iShares) |
The index increases the weight of companies with favorable ESG ratings and excludes controversial businesses, while keeping sector weights similar to those of the parent index. The result is a portfolio that follows the US large-cap market with only an ESG overlay on top.
- Sector-neutral design limits industry concentration
- Exclusion criteria for controversial businesses applied at the index level
- Broad diversification across both US large- and mid-cap stocks
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $4.1B, and the expense ratio is 0.25% per year.
Within the same US ESG category, its fee is not on the low side, and there are periods when liquidity and ease of trading are more limited than for larger products.
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe fund has generally moved in step with the US large-cap market. Because some stocks are excluded under the ESG criteria, there are periods when its performance diverges from the parent index, and its sizable technology weighting means results are clearly driven by swings in that sector.
Flows into ESG products as a whole rise and fall with policy direction and investor preferences. Demand for the fund as a core US substitute underpins its asset base, while money is also shifting toward broad, low-fee products.
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its sector-neutral design and broad diversification are strengths, while the fee burden and concentration in technology stocks are weaknesses.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF
The ESGU(ETF) and ESGV ETF shown in the table are larger products in the same US ESG category with lower fees, while DSI and similar funds apply stricter selection criteria. Products narrowed to a climate focus, such as USCL, are also worth comparing in terms of size and fees. Beyond the table, investors can also consider the SUSL from the same iShares family, the EFIV, an ESG product based on the S&P 500, and the ESGD, which extends exposure beyond the US.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ESGU | iShares Trust iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | $165.22 | -1.9% | $18.2B | 0.15% | 0.94% | +10.9% |
 ESGV | Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF | $132.73 | -2.1% | $13.3B | 0.09% | 0.9% | +9.8% |
 DSI | iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF | $142.93 | -2.1% | $5.5B | 0.25% | 0.89% | +10.2% |
 USCA | Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF | $44.81 | -1.8% | $3.5B | 0.07% | 1.06% | +6.8% |
 USCL | iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF | $85.15 | -1.8% | $2.8B | 0.08% | 1.06% | +6.9% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.15% | $204.64 | -4.2% | $4.93T | 25.9 | 0.38% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 0.12% | $344.63 | -1.2% | $5.03T | 39.5 | 0.32% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp | 0.09% | $521.91 | -1.6% | $3.88T | 27.3 | 0.74% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc | 0.10% | $279.84 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.6 | 0.31% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 0.03% | $326.08 | -5.5% | $1.56T | 41.6 | 0.8% |
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the items to check before investing in this ETF. The right order is to first look at how the ESG criteria affect the portfolio and its performance, and how much costs and stock concentration will accumulate against long-term returns.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Cumulative cost burden over a long holding period | Somewhat high |
| 📊 Sector composition | Check the technology sector weight | Large weight |
| 💧 Liquidity | Bid-ask spread and trading volume | Needs checking |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact on returns converted to won | No currency hedge |
Because some stocks are excluded under the ESG criteria, there are periods when performance diverges from the main US indexes. With its heavy technology weighting, declines during corrections in that sector can be larger than the market average.
It is an option worth considering if you want to add ESG criteria to your US large-cap exposure. If cost is your priority, compare it with larger, lower-fee ESG products, and if you want stronger screening, compare it with products that use stricter criteria.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of September 3, 2026.
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