Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF (ESGV): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Vanguard • ESG/US Equity
Expense Ratio
0.09%
AUM
$8.0B
Dividend Yield
1.20%
Inception
2018
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF?
ESGV provides access to a diversified portfolio of US stocks that have been screened to exclude companies in certain controversial industries like weapons, fossil fuels, and gambling. Managed by Vanguard, it offers one of the lowest expense ratios among ESG-focused funds. This makes it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors who want their portfolio to reflect responsible business practices.
ESGV is managed by Vanguard and has been available since 2018. With $8.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.09%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $9 per year in management fees.
ESGV at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% |
| Total Holdings | 1,500 |
| P/E Ratio | 24.1 |
| Beta | 1.01 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% |
| AUM | $8.0B |
| Inception Year | 2018 |
| Issuer | Vanguard |
Top 10 Holdings in ESGV
ESGV holds 1,500 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | AAPL | 7.20% |
| 2 | Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | 6.50% |
| 3 | NVIDIA Corp. | NVDA | 6.00% |
| 4 | Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | 3.70% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms Inc. | META | 2.60% |
| 6 | Alphabet Inc. Class A | GOOGL | 2.30% |
| 7 | Alphabet Inc. Class C | GOOG | 2.20% |
| 8 | Tesla Inc. | TSLA | 1.80% |
| 9 | Eli Lilly and Co. | LLY | 1.50% |
| 10 | Visa Inc. | V | 1.30% |
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ESGV Performance History
Here's how ESGV has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
7.00%
1 Year
21.00%
3 Year
8.00%
5 Year
13.00%
10 Year
0.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
ESGV scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 1,500 holdings, and has been available since 2018, though its track record is still developing.
How to Buy ESGV — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "ESGV" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into ESGV
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With ESGV's expense ratio of 0.09%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $771 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of ESGV
Pros
- ✓Extremely low expense ratio at 0.09% makes it one of the cheapest ESG funds available
- ✓Broad diversification across over 1,500 US stocks reduces individual company risk
- ✓Vanguard's reputation for investor-friendly fund management
- ✓Strict exclusion of fossil fuels appeals to environmentally focused investors
Cons
- ✗Excludes the entire energy sector which can hurt returns during oil price rallies
- ✗Relatively short track record compared to traditional Vanguard index funds
- ✗Large overlap with standard total market funds may not feel differentiated enough
ESGV vs Similar ETFs
See how ESGV stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESGV a good ETF for beginners?▾
ESGV has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of ESGV?▾
ESGV has an expense ratio of 0.09%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $9 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in ESGV?▾
You can invest in ESGV with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does ESGV pay dividends?▾
Yes, ESGV pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in ESGV?▾
The top holdings in ESGV include Apple Inc. (7.20%), Microsoft Corp. (6.50%), NVIDIA Corp. (6.00%), and more. The fund holds 1,500 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.