CSB vs. ISMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CSB (VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF) and ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - CSB tracks the Nasdaq Victory U.S. Small Cap High Dividend 100 Volatility Weighted Index while ISMD tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CSB returned 3.65%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for ISMD. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CSB charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for ISMD.

Performance

CSB vs. ISMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) and Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSB achieves a 8.30% return, which is significantly lower than ISMD's 21.54% return.

CSB

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -1.58%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 11.48%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

ISMD

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 21.54%
• 6M: 20.97%
• 1Y: 36.88%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CSB vs. ISMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSB VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF	8.30%	2.26%	9.64%	12.60%	-13.11%	27.04%	11.30%	21.12%	-7.10%	12.96%
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	21.54%	4.14%	9.53%	16.74%	-13.44%	29.38%	7.45%	24.62%	-12.63%	8.43%

Correlation

The correlation between CSB and ISMD is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2017	0.88

The correlation between CSB and ISMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

CSB vs. ISMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CSB	ISMD
Financial Services	26.5%	15.2%
Utilities	22.0%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	19.0%	11.2%
Energy	11.5%	3.3%
Industrials	8.5%	17.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	6.1%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.5%
Basic Materials	3.4%	5.2%
Technology	1.2%	17.3%
Healthcare	0.4%	9.5%
Real Estate	-	8.9%

Return for Risk

CSB vs. ISMD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CSB

CSB Risk / Return Rank: 40
CSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
CSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CSB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
CSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
CSB Martin Ratio Rank: 44

ISMD

ISMD Risk / Return Rank: 63
ISMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ISMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ISMD Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ISMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ISMD Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CSB vs. ISMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) and Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CSB	ISMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.01	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	2.82	-0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.34	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.84	-1.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.26	12.04	-4.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSB vs. ISMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the ISMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSB and ISMD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CSB	ISMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.01	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.37	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.40	+0.05

Drawdowns

CSB vs. ISMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSB drawdown since its inception was -42.07%, smaller than the maximum ISMD drawdown of -44.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSB and ISMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSB	ISMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.07%	-44.60%	+2.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-9.64%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.82%	-26.64%	+4.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.49%	-26.64%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.12%	-1.62%	-1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-8.17%	+1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	3.07%	-0.59%

Volatility

CSB vs. ISMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) is 3.59%, while Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that CSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSB	ISMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	4.95%	-1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	12.52%	-3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.54%	18.56%	-4.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	20.87%	-2.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.31%	23.74%	-2.43%

CSB vs. ISMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ISMD's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSB vs. ISMD - Dividend Comparison

CSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than ISMD's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSB VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF	3.26%	3.54%	3.12%	3.45%	3.60%	3.11%	3.70%	3.19%	3.45%	3.19%	2.85%	1.57%
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	0.95%	1.21%	1.24%	1.17%	1.28%	9.35%	0.99%	0.88%	1.35%	2.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSB and ISMD in my portfolio?

CSB and ISMD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSB or ISMD?

ISMD has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to CSB (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSB dropped -42.07% vs ISMD's -44.60%.

Which ETF is better, CSB or ISMD?

On 5-year performance, ISMD leads with 7.62% vs 3.65% for CSB. On fees, CSB is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, CSB has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CSB or ISMD?

Over the 5-year period, ISMD has performed better with a 7.62% return vs 3.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CSB or ISMD?

CSB is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for ISMD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CSB or ISMD?

CSB has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.95% for ISMD.

What is the main difference between CSB and ISMD?

CSB tracks Nasdaq Victory U.S. Small Cap High Dividend 100 Volatility Weighted Index, while ISMD tracks Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: Crestview and Inspire. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for CSB and 0.57% for ISMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.25), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.