MSSM vs. FESM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM).

MSSM and FESM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MSSM is an actively managed fund by Morgan Stanley. It was launched on Dec 9, 2024. FESM is an actively managed fund by Fidelity. It was launched on Dec 20, 2007.

Performance

MSSM vs. FESM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSSM vs. FESM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MSSM Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF	2.02%	11.33%	-5.83%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.82%	17.88%	-7.33%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSSM achieves a 2.02% return, which is significantly higher than FESM's 0.82% return.

MSSM

• 1D: 3.41%
• 1M: -5.48%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 6M: 4.73%
• 1Y: 23.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FESM

• 1D: 3.29%
• 1M: -4.77%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 4.42%
• 1Y: 29.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MSSM vs. FESM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSSM has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than FESM's 0.28% expense ratio.

MSSM

Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF

FESM

Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF

Return for Risk

MSSM vs. FESM — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSSM

MSSM Risk / Return Rank: 60
MSSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
MSSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
MSSM Omega Ratio Rank: 55
MSSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
MSSM Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

MSSM vs. FESM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). 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.

	MSSM	FESM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.30	-0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	1.87	-0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.24	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	2.19	-0.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.89	8.40	-1.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSSM vs. FESM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the FESM Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSSM and FESM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSSM	FESM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	1.30	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.96	-0.71

Correlation

The correlation between MSSM and FESM is 0.97, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MSSM vs. FESM - Dividend Comparison

MSSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, more than FESM's 0.63% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
MSSM Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF	3.09%	3.15%	0.00%	0.00%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.63%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%

Drawdowns

MSSM vs. FESM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSSM drawdown since its inception was -24.18%, smaller than the maximum FESM drawdown of -26.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSSM and FESM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSSM	FESM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.18%	-26.93%	+2.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.13%	-13.54%	-0.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.42%	-7.23%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.12%	-5.04%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	3.53%	-0.19%

Volatility

MSSM vs. FESM - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) have volatilities of 7.40% and 7.40%, 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

	MSSM	FESM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	7.40%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.24%	14.26%	-1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.97%	22.98%	-1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.36%	21.49%	-0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.36%	21.49%	-0.13%