FSCC vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSCC (Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. FSCC is actively managed, while IJR is passively managed. Over the past year, FSCC returned 38.08% vs 31.54% for IJR. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSCC charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

FSCC vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FSCC having a 15.26% return and IJR slightly higher at 15.38%.

FSCC

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: 2.28%
• YTD: 15.26%
• 6M: 13.86%
• 1Y: 38.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IJR

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 15.38%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 31.54%
• 3Y*: 14.39%
• 5Y*: 5.64%
• 10Y*: 10.66%

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

FSCC vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FSCC Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF	15.26%	15.30%	2.19%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	15.38%	5.89%	-1.30%

Correlation

The correlation between FSCC and IJR is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2024	0.94

The correlation between FSCC and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

FSCC vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSCC	IJR
Industrials	21.2%	15.5%
Healthcare	17.4%	11.1%
Financial Services	17.0%	16.8%
Technology	16.9%	15.5%
Real Estate	6.6%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	13.4%
Energy	4.8%	5.9%
Basic Materials	3.2%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	3.5%
Communication Services	2.0%	3.6%
Utilities	1.8%	2.0%

Return for Risk

FSCC vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSCC

FSCC Risk / Return Rank: 63
FSCC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FSCC Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FSCC Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FSCC Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FSCC Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 58
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 49
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FSCC vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.

	FSCC	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.81	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	2.64	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	3.65	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	12.14	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSCC vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSCC Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSCC and IJR, 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

	FSCC	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	1.81	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.43	+0.38

Drawdowns

FSCC vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSCC drawdown since its inception was -27.17%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSCC and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSCC	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.17%	-58.15%	+30.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-8.68%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.90%	-0.91%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-9.28%	+4.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.60%	+0.41%

Volatility

FSCC vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) has a higher volatility of 5.62% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.45%. This indicates that FSCC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSCC	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	4.45%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.36%	11.65%	+1.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.17%	17.54%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.30%	21.41%	+0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.30%	22.91%	-0.61%

FSCC vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSCC has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSCC vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

FSCC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than IJR's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSCC Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF	0.23%	0.27%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	1.15%	1.44%	2.05%	1.31%	1.41%	1.53%	1.11%	1.44%	1.58%	1.20%	1.22%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSCC and IJR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FSCC and IJR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FSCC or IJR?

FSCC has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to IJR (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSCC dropped -27.17% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, FSCC or IJR?

On 1-year performance, FSCC leads with 38.08% vs 31.54% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSCC or IJR?

Over the 1-year period, FSCC has performed better with a 38.08% return vs 31.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSCC or IJR?

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for FSCC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSCC or IJR?

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.23% for FSCC.

What is the main difference between FSCC and IJR?

They also come from different issuers: Federated Hermes and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for FSCC and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSCC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.81), 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.