IQSM vs. XJH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQSM (IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF) and XJH (iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - IQSM tracks the IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net while XJH tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Sustainability Screened Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQSM returned 13.84%/yr vs 15.80%/yr for XJH. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IQSM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for XJH.

Performance

IQSM vs. XJH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) and iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSM achieves a 11.77% return, which is significantly lower than XJH's 13.89% return.

IQSM

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 6M: 12.17%
• 1Y: 22.78%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XJH

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 13.89%
• 6M: 14.47%
• 1Y: 26.28%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 7.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQSM vs. XJH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	11.77%	7.97%	9.15%	15.82%	2.29%
XJH iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF	13.89%	8.12%	12.27%	16.74%	2.31%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSM and XJH is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2022	0.97

The correlation between IQSM and XJH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSM vs. XJH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSM	XJH
Industrials	23.1%	25.9%
Technology	15.5%	16.0%
Healthcare	14.2%	9.6%
Financial Services	12.4%	14.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	11.3%
Real Estate	10.0%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	3.8%
Basic Materials	4.1%	4.9%
Energy	2.6%	2.9%
Communication Services	2.6%	1.1%
Utilities	0.6%	1.6%

Return for Risk

IQSM vs. XJH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSM

IQSM Risk / Return Rank: 48
IQSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IQSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IQSM Omega Ratio Rank: 42
IQSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSM Martin Ratio Rank: 55

XJH

XJH Risk / Return Rank: 50
XJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
XJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XJH Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
XJH Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

IQSM vs. XJH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) and iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH). 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.

	IQSM	XJH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.62	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.38	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.75	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.43	10.11	-0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSM vs. XJH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the XJH Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSM and XJH, 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

	IQSM	XJH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	1.62	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.76	-0.02

Drawdowns

IQSM vs. XJH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSM drawdown since its inception was -23.66%, smaller than the maximum XJH drawdown of -25.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSM and XJH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSM	XJH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.66%	-25.07%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-9.61%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.66%	-24.56%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-6.83%	+1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	2.61%	-0.19%

Volatility

IQSM vs. XJH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is 3.97%, while iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF (XJH) has a volatility of 4.62%. This indicates that IQSM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XJH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSM	XJH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	4.62%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.98%	11.89%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.97%	16.28%	-1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	19.93%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	19.88%	-1.99%

IQSM vs. XJH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than XJH's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IQSM vs. XJH - Dividend Comparison

IQSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than XJH's 1.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.18%	1.22%	1.11%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%
XJH iShares ESG Screened S&P Mid-Cap ETF	1.10%	1.24%	1.24%	1.38%	1.45%	1.04%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSM and XJH in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, IQSM and XJH 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, IQSM or XJH?

XJH has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to IQSM (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSM dropped -23.66% vs XJH's -25.07%.

Which ETF is better, IQSM or XJH?

On 3-year performance, XJH leads with 15.80% vs 13.84% for IQSM. On fees, XJH is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, IQSM has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSM or XJH?

Over the 3-year period, XJH has performed better with a 15.80% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSM or XJH?

XJH is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IQSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSM or XJH?

XJH has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 1.06% for IQSM.

What is the main difference between IQSM and XJH?

IQSM tracks IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Sustainability Screened Index. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSM and 0.12% for XJH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.53), 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.