ISMD vs. ESIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) and ESIX (SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - ISMD tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index while ESIX tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISMD charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for ESIX.

Performance

ISMD vs. ESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ISMD

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: 25.15%
• 6M: 22.92%
• 1Y: 38.78%
• 3Y*: 17.34%
• 5Y*: 8.35%
• 10Y*: —

ESIX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ISMD vs. ESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	25.15%	4.14%	9.53%	16.74%	-12.38%
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	10.83%	1.83%	9.66%	17.51%	-13.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ISMD and ESIX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2022	0.94

The correlation between ISMD and ESIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISMD vs. ESIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISMD	ESIX
Technology	17.6%	16.6%
Industrials	16.7%	17.2%
Financial Services	15.0%	17.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	12.4%
Healthcare	10.4%	10.8%
Real Estate	8.1%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	3.0%
Basic Materials	4.8%	4.4%
Energy	3.7%	6.7%
Utilities	3.1%	2.0%
Communication Services	2.8%	2.9%

Return for Risk

ISMD vs. ESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISMD

ISMD Risk / Return Rank: 71
ISMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ISMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ISMD Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ISMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ISMD Martin Ratio Rank: 73

ESIX

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

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.

ISMD vs. ESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX). 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.

	ISMD	ESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.71	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	ISMD	ESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.60%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.13%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ISMD	ESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.66%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.76%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.88%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.72%	—	—

ISMD vs. ESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISMD has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than ESIX's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISMD vs. ESIX - Dividend Comparison

ISMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than ESIX's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	1.05%	1.64%	1.65%	1.69%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	0.92%	1.21%	1.24%	1.17%	1.28%	9.35%	0.99%	0.88%	1.35%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISMD and ESIX in my portfolio?

ISMD and ESIX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ISMD or ESIX?

On fees, ESIX is cheaper at 0.12% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISMD or ESIX?

ESIX is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for ISMD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISMD or ESIX?

ESIX has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.92% for ISMD.

What is the main difference between ISMD and ESIX?

ISMD tracks Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index, while ESIX tracks S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for ISMD and 0.12% for ESIX.