ISMD vs. IJR
ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - ISMD tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index while IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISMD returned 8.35%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for IJR. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISMD charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.
Performance
ISMD vs. IJR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ISMD achieves a 25.15% return, which is significantly higher than IJR's 19.34% return.
ISMD
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- 4.38%
- YTD
- 25.15%
- 6M
- 22.92%
- 1Y
- 38.78%
- 3Y*
- 17.34%
- 5Y*
- 8.35%
- 10Y*
- —
IJR
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 4.22%
- YTD
- 19.34%
- 6M
- 16.86%
- 1Y
- 34.47%
- 3Y*
- 16.15%
- 5Y*
- 6.29%
- 10Y*
- 11.30%
ISMD vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF | 25.15% | 4.14% | 9.53% | 16.74% | -13.44% | 29.38% | 7.45% | 24.62% | -12.63% | 8.73% |
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 19.34% | 5.89% | 8.63% | 16.06% | -16.20% | 26.58% | 11.28% | 22.82% | -8.51% | 10.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISMD and IJR is 0.95, 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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2017 | 0.94 |
The correlation between ISMD and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
ISMD vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
ISMD
IJR
Technology
Industrials
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Healthcare
Real Estate
Consumer Defensive
Basic Materials
Energy
Utilities
Communication Services
Technology
ISMD
IJR
Industrials
ISMD
IJR
Financial Services
ISMD
IJR
Consumer Cyclical
ISMD
IJR
Healthcare
ISMD
IJR
Real Estate
ISMD
IJR
Consumer Defensive
ISMD
IJR
Basic Materials
ISMD
IJR
Energy
ISMD
IJR
Utilities
ISMD
IJR
Communication Services
ISMD
IJR
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Return for Risk
ISMD vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank
ISMD
IJR
ISMD vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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 | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.34 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.04 | 3.99 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.71 | 13.39 | -0.68 |
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Drawdowns
ISMD vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISMD drawdown since its inception was -44.60%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISMD and IJR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ISMD | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.60% | -58.15% | +13.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.64% | -8.68% | -0.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.64% | -28.02% | +1.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.64% | -28.02% | +1.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.36% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.64% | -0.43% | -0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.13% | -9.26% | +1.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.06% | 2.58% | +0.48% |
Volatility
ISMD vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison
Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) has a higher volatility of 5.66% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.96%. This indicates that ISMD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ISMD | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.66% | 4.96% | +0.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.05% | 12.06% | +0.99% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.76% | 17.73% | +1.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.88% | 21.40% | -0.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.72% | 22.90% | +0.82% |
ISMD vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison
ISMD has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
ISMD vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison
ISMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than IJR's 1.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.15% | 1.44% | 2.05% | 1.31% | 1.41% | 1.53% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.58% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.48% |
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, ISMD and IJR 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.
ISMD has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to IJR (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISMD dropped -44.60% vs IJR's -58.15%.
On 5-year performance, ISMD leads with 8.35% vs 6.29% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ISMD has performed better with a 8.35% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for ISMD.
IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.92% for ISMD.
ISMD tracks Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for ISMD and 0.06% for IJR.
ISMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.96), 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.
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