ISMD vs. SMLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) and SMLF (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - ISMD tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index while SMLF tracks the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISMD returned 7.62%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for SMLF. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISMD charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for SMLF.

Performance

ISMD vs. SMLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISMD achieves a 21.54% return, which is significantly higher than SMLF's 14.46% return.

ISMD

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 21.54%
• 6M: 20.97%
• 1Y: 36.88%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

SMLF

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 14.46%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 30.98%
• 3Y*: 19.85%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 12.36%

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

ISMD vs. SMLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	21.54%	4.14%	9.53%	16.74%	-13.44%	29.38%	7.45%	24.62%	-12.63%	8.43%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	14.46%	12.30%	16.33%	19.99%	-12.19%	26.53%	8.38%	21.56%	-8.42%	11.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ISMD and SMLF is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2017	0.91

The correlation between ISMD and SMLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISMD vs. SMLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISMD	SMLF
Industrials	17.7%	19.8%
Technology	17.3%	16.6%
Financial Services	15.2%	15.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.2%	11.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	12.7%
Real Estate	8.9%	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.1%	3.7%
Basic Materials	5.2%	4.6%
Energy	3.3%	4.8%
Utilities	3.3%	2.2%
Communication Services	2.5%	3.2%

Return for Risk

ISMD vs. SMLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISMD

ISMD Risk / Return Rank: 63
ISMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ISMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ISMD Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ISMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ISMD Martin Ratio Rank: 66

SMLF

SMLF Risk / Return Rank: 58
SMLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SMLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SMLF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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. SMLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). 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.

	ISMD	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.81	+0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.56	+0.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.57	+0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.04	12.27	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISMD vs. SMLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISMD Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the SMLF Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISMD and SMLF, 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

	ISMD	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	1.81	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.52	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.54	-0.14

Drawdowns

ISMD vs. SMLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISMD drawdown since its inception was -44.60%, which is greater than SMLF's maximum drawdown of -41.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISMD and SMLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISMD	SMLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.60%	-41.89%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.64%	-8.71%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.64%	-26.28%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.64%	-26.28%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-0.72%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-6.60%	-1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.53%	+0.54%

Volatility

ISMD vs. SMLF - Volatility Comparison

Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) have volatilities of 4.95% and 4.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISMD	SMLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.95%	4.80%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.52%	12.31%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.56%	17.21%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.87%	21.09%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.74%	21.78%	+1.96%

ISMD vs. SMLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISMD has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLF's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISMD vs. SMLF - Dividend Comparison

ISMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than SMLF's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	0.95%	1.21%	1.24%	1.17%	1.28%	9.35%	0.99%	0.88%	1.35%	2.02%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	1.03%	1.14%	1.33%	1.13%	1.23%	1.07%	1.33%	1.39%	1.17%	0.93%	0.78%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISMD and SMLF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ISMD and SMLF 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, ISMD or SMLF?

ISMD has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to SMLF (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISMD dropped -44.60% vs SMLF's -41.89%.

Which ETF is better, ISMD or SMLF?

On 5-year performance, SMLF leads with 10.89% vs 7.62% for ISMD. On fees, SMLF is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, SMLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISMD or SMLF?

Over the 5-year period, SMLF has performed better with a 10.89% return vs 7.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISMD or SMLF?

SMLF is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for ISMD.

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

SMLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.95% for ISMD.

What is the main difference between ISMD and SMLF?

ISMD tracks Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index, while SMLF tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for ISMD and 0.30% for SMLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.81), 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.