PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ISCB vs. IMCB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ISCB vs. IMCB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

ISCB (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) and IMCB (iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISCB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index, while IMCB is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ISCB returned 9.25%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for IMCB. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

ISCB vs. IMCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISCB achieves a 14.99% return, which is significantly lower than IMCB's 17.87% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCB has underperformed IMCB with an annualized return of 9.25%, while IMCB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.27% annualized return.

ISCB

1D
-0.18%
1M
-0.92%
6M
10.53%
YTD
14.99%
1Y
29.06%
3Y*
14.03%
5Y*
7.13%
10Y*
9.25%
ALL TIME*
8.89%

IMCB

1D
-0.25%
1M
-0.01%
6M
14.48%
YTD
17.87%
1Y
23.21%
3Y*
15.79%
5Y*
9.14%
10Y*
11.27%
ALL TIME*
10.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IMCB

iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
$2.94M$3.89M$3.49M

ISCB

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF
$562.81K$433.76K$308.14K

ISCB vs. IMCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ISCB
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF		14.99%12.46%10.90%19.51%-19.04%17.46%6.29%29.42%-13.92%12.95%
IMCB
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF		17.87%10.25%15.10%16.37%-16.09%22.81%13.35%31.49%-11.53%19.70%

Correlation

The correlation between ISCB and IMCB is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.93

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.93

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.94

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.92

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2004

0.92

The correlation between ISCB and IMCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISCB vs. IMCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ISCB
IMCB

Financial Services

16.6%
14.1%

Industrials

16.3%
18.4%

Technology

15.0%
17.9%

Healthcare

14.9%
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

11.1%
9.7%

Real Estate

8.3%
4.5%

Basic Materials

4.5%
5.5%

Energy

4.2%
7.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.8%
5.1%

Communication Services

2.6%
2.4%

Utilities

2.5%
6.5%

Financial Services

ISCB
16.6%
IMCB
14.1%

Industrials

ISCB
16.3%
IMCB
18.4%

Technology

ISCB
15.0%
IMCB
17.9%

Healthcare

ISCB
14.9%
IMCB
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

ISCB
11.1%
IMCB
9.7%

Real Estate

ISCB
8.3%
IMCB
4.5%

Basic Materials

ISCB
4.5%
IMCB
5.5%

Energy

ISCB
4.2%
IMCB
7.0%

Consumer Defensive

ISCB
3.8%
IMCB
5.1%

Communication Services

ISCB
2.6%
IMCB
2.4%

Utilities

ISCB
2.5%
IMCB
6.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF

iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF

Often compared with ISCB:
ISCB vs. VBISCB vs. ISCGISCB vs. IJRISCB vs. SPSMISCB vs. IWMISCB vs. SCHAISCB vs. SCHG
Often compared with IMCB:
IMCB vs. IMCGIMCB vs. FSMDXIMCB vs. BKMCIMCB vs. SPMDIMCB vs. VOIMCB vs. IJHIMCB vs. BBMC

Return for Risk

ISCB vs. IMCB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
ISCB
ISCB Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
ISCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ISCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
ISCB Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
ISCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
ISCB Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
IMCB
IMCB Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
IMCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IMCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
IMCB Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
IMCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
IMCB Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ISCB vs. IMCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB). 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.

ISCBIMCBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.65
1.65

0.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.35

+0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.29

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.88

2.68

+0.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.43

10.73

-0.30

ISCB vs. IMCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCB Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the IMCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCB and IMCB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

ISCB vs. IMCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCB drawdown since its inception was -61.25%, roughly equal to the maximum IMCB drawdown of -58.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCB and IMCB.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

ISCBIMCBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.25%

-58.80%

-2.45%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.39%

-8.05%

-1.34%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.22%

-19.80%

-6.42%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.94%

-25.15%

-4.79%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.18%

-40.99%

-3.19%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.57%

-0.91%

-0.66%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.74%

-7.68%

-2.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.59%

2.01%

+0.58%

Volatility

ISCB vs. IMCB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) has a higher volatility of 3.32% compared to iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) at 2.32%. This indicates that ISCB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IMCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ISCBIMCBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.32%

2.32%

+1.00%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.48%

9.96%

+1.52%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.46%

13.10%

+3.36%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.27%

17.56%

+3.71%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.61%

19.60%

+3.01%

ISCB vs. IMCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ISCB and IMCB have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ISCB vs. IMCB - Dividend Comparison

ISCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than IMCB's 1.21% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IMCB
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF		1.21%1.42%1.43%1.55%1.70%1.08%1.12%1.32%1.80%1.31%1.79%1.47%
ISCB
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF		1.28%1.38%1.31%1.49%1.63%1.26%1.26%1.25%1.60%1.24%1.58%1.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.93, ISCB and IMCB 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.

ISCB has higher volatility (3.32%) compared to IMCB (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCB dropped -61.25% vs IMCB's -58.80%.

On 10-year performance, IMCB leads with 11.27% vs 9.25% for ISCB. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, IMCB has been the lower-risk option at 2.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IMCB has performed better with a 11.27% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ISCB and IMCB have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.

ISCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.21% for IMCB.

ISCB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while IMCB is Mid Cap Blend Equities. ISCB tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index, while IMCB tracks IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index.

ISCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.65), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ISCB and IMCB

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