EPSB vs. ISCB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EPSB (Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF) and ISCB (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. EPSB is actively managed, while ISCB is passively managed. Over the past year, EPSB returned 28.50% vs 29.06% for ISCB. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EPSB charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ISCB.

Performance

EPSB vs. ISCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF (EPSB) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPSB achieves a 20.56% return, which is significantly higher than ISCB's 14.99% return.

EPSB

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.06%
• 6M: 11.91%
• YTD: 20.56%
• 1Y: 28.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.59%

ISCB

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -0.92%
• 6M: 10.53%
• YTD: 14.99%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 9.25%
• ALL TIME*: 8.89%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EPSB Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF	$2.00K	$4.38K	$12.02K
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	$562.81K	$433.76K	$308.14K

EPSB vs. ISCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPSB Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF	20.56%	14.56%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	14.99%	23.33%

Correlation

The correlation between EPSB and ISCB is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.90

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

EPSB vs. ISCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPSB	ISCB
Industrials	31.2%	16.3%
Technology	19.9%	15.0%
Financial Services	13.5%	16.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	11.1%
Healthcare	7.2%	14.9%
Basic Materials	5.9%	4.5%
Real Estate	5.8%	8.3%
Energy	2.9%	4.2%
Utilities	2.8%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	3.8%
Communication Services	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

EPSB vs. ISCB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EPSB

EPSB Risk / Return Rank: 80
EPSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EPSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
EPSB Omega Ratio Rank: 74
EPSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EPSB Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ISCB

ISCB Risk / Return Rank: 75
ISCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ISCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ISCB Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ISCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ISCB Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EPSB vs. ISCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF (EPSB) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EPSB	ISCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.65	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.41	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.29	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	2.88	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	10.43	+0.65

EPSB vs. ISCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the ISCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPSB and ISCB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EPSB vs. ISCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPSB drawdown since its inception was -8.46%, smaller than the maximum ISCB drawdown of -61.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPSB and ISCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPSB	ISCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-61.25%	+52.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-9.39%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.22%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-1.57%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-9.74%	+8.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.59%	-0.14%

Volatility

EPSB vs. ISCB - Volatility Comparison

Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF (EPSB) has a higher volatility of 3.57% compared to iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) at 3.32%. This indicates that EPSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPSB	ISCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	3.32%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.13%	11.48%	-0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	16.46%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	21.27%	-6.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.27%	22.61%	-7.34%

EPSB vs. ISCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPSB has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCB's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPSB vs. ISCB - Dividend Comparison

EPSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than ISCB's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPSB Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF	1.13%	1.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	1.28%	1.38%	1.31%	1.49%	1.63%	1.26%	1.26%	1.25%	1.60%	1.24%	1.58%	1.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPSB and ISCB in my portfolio?

EPSB and ISCB have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPSB or ISCB?

EPSB has higher volatility (3.57%) compared to ISCB (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPSB dropped -8.46% vs ISCB's -61.25%.

Which ETF is better, EPSB or ISCB?

On 1-year performance, ISCB leads with 29.06% vs 28.50% for EPSB. On fees, ISCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ISCB has been the lower-risk option at 3.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPSB or ISCB?

Over the 1-year period, ISCB has performed better with a 29.06% return vs 28.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPSB or ISCB?

ISCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPSB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPSB or ISCB?

ISCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.13% for EPSB.

What is the main difference between EPSB and ISCB?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPSB and 0.04% for ISCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.65), 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.