iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) belongs to the Systematic Trend category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ISMF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ISMF
ISMF charges 0.80% annually. There are 6 ETFs in the Systematic Trend category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF | 0.35% | 36.00M | Feb 2026 | ISMF vs SDMF | |
| Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF | 0.50% | 6.00M | Oct 2019 | ISMF vs GXDW | |
| JPMorgan Managed Futures Plus ETF | 0.59% | 33.36M | May 2026 | ISMF vs JPFP | |
| WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 0.65% | 243.46M | Jan 2011 | ISMF vs WTMF | |
| Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 0.65% | — | Mar 2025 | ISMF vs IMF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ISMF
ISMF has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 93. No ETFs in the Systematic Trend category have higher risk-adjusted ranks; the top alternatives shown here go as high as 90.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 90 | 1.89B | May 2019 | ISMF vs DBMF | |
| Fidelity Managed Futures ETF | 88 | 246.93M | Jun 2025 | ISMF vs FFUT | |
| American Beacon AHL Trend ETF | 88 | 133.25M | Aug 2023 | ISMF vs AHLT | |
| WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 87 | 243.46M | Jan 2011 | ISMF vs WTMF | |
| Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 87 | — | Mar 2025 | ISMF vs IMF |
Top Performing ISMF Alternatives (YTD)
ISMF is at 6.88% YTD. There are 10 ETFs in the Systematic Trend category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 17.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Chesapeake Pure Trend ETF | 17.76% | — | May 2024 | ISMF vs MFUT | |
| Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF | 14.96% | 482.02M | Sep 2023 | ISMF vs RSST | |
| Fidelity Managed Futures ETF | 13.58% | 246.93M | Jun 2025 | ISMF vs FFUT | |
| Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 13.08% | — | Mar 2025 | ISMF vs IMF | |
| KFA Mount Lucas Index Strategy ETF | 12.95% | 419.76M | Dec 2020 | ISMF vs KMLM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ISMF
ISMF has 8.10% 1-year volatility. There is 1 ETF in the Systematic Trend category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.78%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Trend-Following Fixed Income ETF | 7.78% | 36.02M | Feb 2026 | ISMF vs TFFI | |
| WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 9.13% | 243.46M | Jan 2011 | ISMF vs WTMF | |
| First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 9.56% | 257.60M | Aug 2013 | ISMF vs FMF | |
| Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 10.65% | — | Mar 2025 | ISMF vs IMF | |
| Virtus AlphaSimplex Managed Futures ETF | 11.49% | 29.42M | May 2024 | ISMF vs ASMF |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ISMF
ISMF has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.94%. No ETFs in the Systematic Trend category have shallower 1-year drawdowns; the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -4.04%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund | -4.04% | 243.46M | Jan 2011 | ISMF vs WTMF | |
| First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund | -4.51% | 257.60M | Aug 2013 | ISMF vs FMF | |
| Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF | -4.54% | — | Mar 2025 | ISMF vs IMF | |
| Virtus AlphaSimplex Managed Futures ETF | -5.02% | 29.42M | May 2024 | ISMF vs ASMF | |
| Fidelity Managed Futures ETF | -5.59% | 246.93M | Jun 2025 | ISMF vs FFUT |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | ISMF vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | ISMF vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | ISMF vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | ISMF vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | ISMF vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | ISMF vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | ISMF vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | ISMF vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | ISMF vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | ISMF vs ACWI |
Often Compared With ISMF
Investors most often compare ISMF with IALT, CTA, SOFR. These 20 comparison targets span 17 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ISMF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ISMF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ISMF with funds that move differently
iShares Managed Futures Active ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ISMF.
Explore ISMF Diversifiers