ICSH vs. MDST
ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares, while MDST is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Westwood. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ICSH returned 4.15% vs 20.94% for MDST. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. ICSH charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for MDST.
Performance
ICSH vs. MDST - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICSH achieves a 1.55% return, which is significantly lower than MDST's 16.53% return.
ICSH
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.24%
- YTD
- 1.55%
- 6M
- 1.72%
- 1Y
- 4.15%
- 3Y*
- 5.11%
- 5Y*
- 3.69%
- 10Y*
- 2.77%
MDST
- 1D
- 1.73%
- 1M
- -1.91%
- YTD
- 16.53%
- 6M
- 16.66%
- 1Y
- 20.94%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ICSH vs. MDST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 1.55% | 4.96% | 4.06% |
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | 16.53% | 7.09% | 17.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICSH and MDST is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2024 | -0.05 |
The correlation between ICSH and MDST shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to -0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ICSH vs. MDST — Risk / Return Rank
ICSH
MDST
ICSH vs. MDST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST). 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.
| ICSH | MDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +8.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +19.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 5.60 | 1.30 | +4.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 42.20 | 3.12 | +39.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 238.45 | 8.43 | +230.02 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ICSH vs. MDST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICSH drawdown since its inception was -3.94%, smaller than the maximum MDST drawdown of -14.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICSH and MDST.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ICSH | MDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.94% | -14.19% | +10.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.10% | -6.74% | +6.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.10% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -0.73% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -3.94% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.05% | -2.20% | +2.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.08% | -2.20% | +2.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.02% | 2.49% | -2.47% |
Volatility
ICSH vs. MDST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) is 0.16%, while Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that ICSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MDST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ICSH | MDST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.16% | 4.87% | -4.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.32% | 8.71% | -8.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41% | 12.45% | -12.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.49% | 16.11% | -15.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.06% | 16.11% | -15.05% |
ICSH vs. MDST - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICSH has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than MDST's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICSH vs. MDST - Dividend Comparison
ICSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, less than MDST's 9.20% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.34% | 4.55% | 5.24% | 4.78% | 1.66% | 0.42% | 1.21% | 2.61% | 2.20% | 1.36% | 0.88% | 0.54% |
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | 9.20% | 10.22% | 6.60% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ICSH and MDST have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MDST has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to ICSH (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICSH dropped -3.94% vs MDST's -14.19%.
On 1-year performance, MDST leads with 20.94% vs 4.15% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MDST has performed better with a 20.94% return vs 4.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for MDST.
MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.20%, compared with 4.34% for ICSH.
ICSH is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while MDST is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Westwood. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for ICSH and 0.80% for MDST.
ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.20 vs 1.69), 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.
Find the right allocation for ICSH and MDST
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer