IQSI vs. NISM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IQSI (IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF) and NISM (NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index, while NISM is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by New York Life. IQSI is passively managed, while NISM is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IQSI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NISM.

Performance

IQSI vs. NISM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) and NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NISM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IQSI

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: 5.61%
• YTD: 11.22%
• 1Y: 22.43%
• 3Y*: 15.55%
• 5Y*: 8.09%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.55%

NISM

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.59%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	$66.39K	$361.19K	$950.83K
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF	$1.49K	$1.70K	$7.74K

IQSI vs. NISM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	3.73%
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSI and NISM is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2026	0.85

Return for Risk

IQSI vs. NISM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IQSI

IQSI Risk / Return Rank: 55
IQSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
IQSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
IQSI Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IQSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IQSI Martin Ratio Rank: 56

NISM

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IQSI vs. NISM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) and NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NISM). 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.

	IQSI	NISM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.90	—	—

Drawdowns

IQSI vs. NISM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSI drawdown since its inception was -31.90%, which is greater than NISM's maximum drawdown of -4.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSI and NISM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSI	NISM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.90%	-4.35%	-27.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.01%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.37%	-1.77%	-4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IQSI	NISM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.61%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.83%	14.21%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.43%	14.21%	+2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	14.21%	+4.73%

IQSI vs. NISM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than NISM's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQSI vs. NISM - Dividend Comparison

IQSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than NISM's 0.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	2.69%	2.75%	2.79%	2.98%	2.89%	2.75%	1.65%
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSI and NISM in my portfolio?

IQSI and NISM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IQSI or NISM?

On fees, IQSI is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSI or NISM?

IQSI is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NISM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSI or NISM?

IQSI has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.24% for NISM.

What is the main difference between IQSI and NISM?

IQSI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NISM is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSI and 0.70% for NISM.