FDM vs. ISCB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB).

FDM and ISCB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FDM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. It was launched on Sep 27, 2005. ISCB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index. It was launched on Jun 28, 2004. Both FDM and ISCB 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

FDM vs. ISCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FDM vs. ISCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	3.39%	18.64%	13.00%	12.76%	-11.61%	35.08%	-4.04%	27.45%	-13.53%	8.72%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	0.40%	12.46%	10.90%	19.51%	-19.04%	17.46%	6.29%	29.42%	-13.92%	12.95%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDM achieves a 3.39% return, which is significantly higher than ISCB's 0.40% return. Over the past 10 years, FDM has outperformed ISCB with an annualized return of 11.22%, while ISCB has yielded a comparatively lower 8.52% annualized return.

FDM

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -3.24%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 9.17%
• 1Y: 33.86%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

ISCB

• 1D: 2.94%
• 1M: -5.35%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 3.40%
• 1Y: 21.91%
• 3Y*: 12.76%
• 5Y*: 4.17%
• 10Y*: 8.52%

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

FDM vs. ISCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDM has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCB's 0.04% expense ratio.

FDM

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund

ISCB

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

FDM vs. ISCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 83
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

ISCB

ISCB Risk / Return Rank: 60
ISCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ISCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ISCB Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ISCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ISCB 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.

FDM vs. ISCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) 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.

	FDM	ISCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	0.99	+0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	1.52	+0.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.20	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	1.47	+1.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.61	6.36	+3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDM vs. ISCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is higher than the ISCB Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDM and ISCB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FDM	ISCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	0.99	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.20	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.38	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.36	-0.02

Correlation

The correlation between FDM and ISCB is 0.89, 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

FDM vs. ISCB - Dividend Comparison

FDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than ISCB's 1.41% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.33%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	1.41%	1.38%	1.31%	1.49%	1.63%	1.26%	1.26%	1.25%	1.60%	1.24%	1.58%	1.40%

Drawdowns

FDM vs. ISCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDM drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, roughly equal to the maximum ISCB drawdown of -61.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDM and ISCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDM	ISCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.45%	-61.25%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.99%	-14.68%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.74%	-29.94%	+6.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.76%	-44.18%	-3.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.74%	-6.73%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.43%	-9.87%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	3.40%	+0.06%

Volatility

FDM vs. ISCB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) have volatilities of 6.37% and 6.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDM	ISCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	6.42%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.17%	12.66%	+1.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.29%	22.28%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	21.45%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.33%	22.67%	+0.66%