iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML)

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The chart shows the growth of an initial investment of $10,000 in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, comparing it to the performance of the S&P 500 index or another benchmark. All prices have been adjusted for splits and dividends.

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) has returned 2.51% so far this year and 23.82% over the past 12 months.

Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Apr 12, 2018, ESML's average daily return is +0.05%, while the average monthly return is +0.93%. At this rate, your investment would double in approximately 6.2 years.

Historically, 58% of months were positive and 42% were negative. The best month was Nov 2020 with a return of +16.4%, while the worst month was Mar 2020 at -21.9%. The longest winning streak lasted 7 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 4 months.

On a daily basis, ESML closed higher 52% of trading days. The best single day was Apr 9, 2025 with a return of +9.4%, while the worst single day was Mar 16, 2020 at -13.9%.

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF has an annualized alpha of -2.43%, beta of 1.07, and R² of 0.78 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since April 13, 2018.

• This ETF participated in 114.48% of S&P 500 Index downside but only 104.96% of its upside — more exposed to losses than it benefited from rallies.
• This ETF had an annualized alpha of -2.43% versus S&P 500 Index — delivering less than market exposure alone would predict.
• With beta of 1.07 and R² of 0.78, this ETF moves broadly in line with S&P 500 Index — much of its variation is explained by market exposure rather than independent behavior.

ESML has an expense ratio of 0.17%, which is considered low.

ESML ranks 61 for risk / return — better than 61% of ETFs on our site. You're getting solid returns for the risk taken. A good sign, especially for investors who want growth without excessive volatility.

The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and compare them to a chosen benchmark (S&P 500 Index).

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF provided a 1.08% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.51 per share.

The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.

The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.

The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.

The maximum drawdown for the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF was 41.97%, occurring on Mar 23, 2020. Recovery took 161 trading sessions.

The current iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF drawdown is 6.20%.

The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.