ESML vs. FLQS
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS).
ESML and FLQS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ESML is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index. It was launched on Apr 10, 2018. FLQS is a passively managed fund by Franklin Templeton that tracks the performance of the LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity Index. It was launched on Apr 26, 2017. Both ESML and FLQS are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
ESML vs. FLQS - Performance Comparison
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ESML vs. FLQS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 2.51% | 10.62% | 12.01% | 17.27% | -17.28% | 19.28% | 19.56% | 29.12% | -10.89% |
FLQS Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | -0.70% | 5.04% | 8.34% | 21.28% | -16.88% | 26.58% | 10.51% | 18.34% | -4.98% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESML achieves a 2.51% return, which is significantly higher than FLQS's -0.70% return.
ESML
- 1D
- 3.11%
- 1M
- -5.16%
- YTD
- 2.51%
- 6M
- 4.85%
- 1Y
- 23.82%
- 3Y*
- 12.82%
- 5Y*
- 5.04%
- 10Y*
- —
FLQS
- 1D
- 1.70%
- 1M
- -5.45%
- YTD
- -0.70%
- 6M
- -2.00%
- 1Y
- 9.91%
- 3Y*
- 9.43%
- 5Y*
- 4.39%
- 10Y*
- —
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ESML vs. FLQS - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESML has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FLQS's 0.35% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
ESML vs. FLQS — Risk / Return Rank
ESML
FLQS
ESML vs. FLQS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS). 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.
| ESML | FLQS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.08 | 0.52 | +0.56 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.63 | 0.88 | +0.74 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.11 | +0.11 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 0.87 | +0.73 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.95 | 3.00 | +3.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESML | FLQS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 0.52 | +0.56 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 | 0.23 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.35 | +0.05 |
Correlation
The correlation between ESML and FLQS is 0.92, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
ESML vs. FLQS - Dividend Comparison
ESML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than FLQS's 1.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.22% | 1.31% | 1.46% | 0.94% | 0.99% | 1.10% | 1.07% | 0.00% |
FLQS Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | 1.45% | 1.16% | 1.29% | 1.75% | 1.40% | 0.95% | 1.20% | 1.41% | 1.27% | 1.02% |
Drawdowns
ESML vs. FLQS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESML drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, roughly equal to the maximum FLQS drawdown of -42.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESML and FLQS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESML | FLQS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.97% | -42.16% | +0.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.71% | -12.41% | -2.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.61% | -28.05% | -0.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.20% | -6.55% | +0.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.14% | -8.14% | -1.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 3.59% | -0.20% |
Volatility
ESML vs. FLQS - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS) at 5.22%. This indicates that ESML's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLQS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESML | FLQS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.61% | 5.22% | +1.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.81% | 10.90% | +1.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.19% | 19.33% | +2.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.28% | 19.35% | +1.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.55% | 21.81% | +1.74% |