ESML vs. IBIT
ESML (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESML is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ESML returned 34.21% vs -38.74% for IBIT. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESML charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.
Performance
ESML vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESML achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -25.48% return.
ESML
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- 3.86%
- YTD
- 16.26%
- 6M
- 15.99%
- 1Y
- 34.21%
- 3Y*
- 17.27%
- 5Y*
- 7.18%
- 10Y*
- —
IBIT
- 1D
- -2.76%
- 1M
- -18.50%
- YTD
- -25.48%
- 6M
- -29.84%
- 1Y
- -38.74%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESML vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 16.26% | 10.62% | 14.94% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -25.48% | -6.41% | 99.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESML and IBIT is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024 | 0.43 |
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Return for Risk
ESML vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank
ESML
IBIT
ESML vs. IBIT - 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 iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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 | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.96 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 0.86 | +0.49 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.80 | -0.79 | +4.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.00 | -1.36 | +15.36 |
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 | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07 | -0.89 | +2.96 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.46 | 0.30 | +0.16 |
Drawdowns
ESML vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESML drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -49.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESML and IBIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESML | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.97% | -49.36% | +7.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | -49.36% | +40.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.68% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.61% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.47% | -48.10% | +47.63% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.97% | -16.02% | +7.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | 28.44% | -25.99% |
Volatility
ESML vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) is 4.25%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 9.50%. This indicates that ESML experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESML | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.25% | 9.50% | -5.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.67% | 34.44% | -22.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.66% | 43.73% | -27.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.23% | 50.19% | -28.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.40% | 50.19% | -26.79% |
ESML vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESML has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
ESML vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison
ESML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 0.95% | 1.08% | 1.22% | 1.31% | 1.46% | 0.94% | 0.99% | 1.10% | 1.07% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESML and IBIT have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBIT has higher volatility (9.50%) compared to ESML (4.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESML dropped -41.97% vs IBIT's -49.36%.
On 1-year performance, ESML leads with 34.21% vs -38.74% for IBIT. On fees, ESML is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, ESML has been the lower-risk option at 4.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ESML has performed better with a 34.21% return vs -38.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESML is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IBIT.
ESML has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.
ESML is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. ESML tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for ESML and 0.25% for IBIT.
ESML currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs -0.89), 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.
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