ISMF vs. SPATX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ISMF (iShares Managed Futures Active ETF) and SPATX (Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund) are both funds - ISMF is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by iShares, while SPATX is a Multistrategy fund managed by Symmetry Partners. Over the past year, ISMF returned 21.28% vs 14.22% for SPATX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISMF charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SPATX.

Performance

ISMF vs. SPATX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) and Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISMF achieves a 7.48% return, which is significantly lower than SPATX's 8.05% return.

ISMF

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 10.36%
• 1Y: 21.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPATX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 8.05%
• 6M: 8.60%
• 1Y: 14.22%
• 3Y*: 11.08%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: —

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

ISMF vs. SPATX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	7.48%	11.58%
SPATX Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund	8.05%	7.14%

Correlation

The correlation between ISMF and SPATX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

ISMF vs. SPATX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISMF

ISMF Risk / Return Rank: 86
ISMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ISMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ISMF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ISMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ISMF Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SPATX

SPATX Risk / Return Rank: 98
SPATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SPATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SPATX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SPATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SPATX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

ISMF vs. SPATX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) and Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX). 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.

	ISMF	SPATX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	3.96	-1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	6.11	-2.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.81	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.46	10.12	-4.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.89	36.61	-17.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISMF vs. SPATX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISMF Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is lower than the SPATX Sharpe Ratio of 3.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISMF and SPATX, 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

	ISMF	SPATX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	3.96	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.08	1.20	+0.88

Drawdowns

ISMF vs. SPATX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISMF drawdown since its inception was -4.23%, smaller than the maximum SPATX drawdown of -11.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISMF and SPATX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISMF	SPATX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-11.67%	+7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.94%	-1.45%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.89%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	0.00%	-0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-1.70%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	0.40%	+0.74%

Volatility

ISMF vs. SPATX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) has a higher volatility of 1.72% compared to Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX) at 1.27%. This indicates that ISMF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPATX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISMF	SPATX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.72%	1.27%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.29%	2.86%	+3.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.88%	3.74%	+4.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.76%	6.27%	+1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.76%	6.05%	+1.71%

ISMF vs. SPATX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISMF has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SPATX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISMF vs. SPATX - Dividend Comparison

ISMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.80%, more than SPATX's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	5.80%	6.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPATX Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund	2.82%	3.05%	2.65%	6.16%	6.22%	2.08%	0.00%	1.87%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISMF and SPATX in my portfolio?

ISMF and SPATX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISMF or SPATX?

ISMF has higher volatility (1.72%) compared to SPATX (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISMF dropped -4.23% vs SPATX's -11.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.71), 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.