ISCG vs. QUASX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISCG (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF) and QUASX (AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ISCG returned 11.37%/yr vs 14.60%/yr for QUASX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISCG charges 0.06%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for QUASX.

Performance

ISCG vs. QUASX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISCG achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly lower than QUASX's 19.60% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCG has underperformed QUASX with an annualized return of 11.37%, while QUASX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.60% annualized return.

ISCG

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

QUASX

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 4.60%
• YTD: 19.60%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 32.89%
• 3Y*: 16.48%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 14.60%

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

ISCG vs. QUASX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISCG iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF	12.92%	12.88%	13.35%	23.13%	-26.75%	-1.26%	43.41%	27.66%	-6.91%	24.68%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	19.60%	4.85%	18.49%	17.83%	-39.09%	9.76%	53.85%	49.85%	-1.02%	34.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ISCG and QUASX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2004	0.94

The correlation between ISCG and QUASX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ISCG vs. QUASX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISCG

ISCG Risk / Return Rank: 50
ISCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ISCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ISCG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ISCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ISCG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QUASX

QUASX Risk / Return Rank: 30
QUASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
QUASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
QUASX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
QUASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
QUASX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

ISCG vs. QUASX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) and AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX). 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.

	ISCG	QUASX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.47	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.05	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	2.32	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	8.56	+1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISCG vs. QUASX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the QUASX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCG and QUASX, 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

	ISCG	QUASX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.47	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.12	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.57	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.39	+0.02

Drawdowns

ISCG vs. QUASX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCG drawdown since its inception was -57.72%, smaller than the maximum QUASX drawdown of -60.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCG and QUASX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISCG	QUASX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.72%	-60.97%	+3.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-15.02%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.71%	-31.68%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.80%	-47.37%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.48%	-47.37%	+5.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.93%	-2.83%	+1.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.63%	-15.75%	+4.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	4.05%	-1.07%

Volatility

ISCG vs. QUASX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) is 4.93%, while AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX) has a volatility of 6.85%. This indicates that ISCG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUASX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISCG	QUASX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	6.85%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.09%	18.63%	-5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.13%	23.69%	-5.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.95%	26.34%	-3.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.16%	25.55%	-2.39%

ISCG vs. QUASX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISCG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than QUASX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISCG vs. QUASX - Dividend Comparison

ISCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, while QUASX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCG iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.56%	0.61%	0.84%	0.77%	0.92%	0.62%	0.10%	0.27%	0.40%	0.52%	1.19%	0.64%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.07%	9.86%	18.20%	19.70%	9.29%	2.32%	9.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISCG and QUASX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, ISCG and QUASX 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, ISCG or QUASX?

QUASX has higher volatility (6.85%) compared to ISCG (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCG dropped -57.72% vs QUASX's -60.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.47), 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.