NFTY vs. SMIN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) and SMIN (iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF) are both India Equities funds - NFTY tracks the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index while SMIN tracks the MSCI India Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFTY returned 7.50%/yr vs 9.04%/yr for SMIN. Their 0.49 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NFTY charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for SMIN.

Performance

NFTY vs. SMIN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) and iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NFTY achieves a -5.91% return, which is significantly lower than SMIN's 0.14% return. Over the past 10 years, NFTY has underperformed SMIN with an annualized return of 7.50%, while SMIN has yielded a comparatively higher 9.04% annualized return.

NFTY

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: -2.37%
• YTD: -5.91%
• 1Y: -2.47%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 7.50%
• ALL TIME*: 6.00%

SMIN

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -1.13%
• 6M: 6.30%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 1Y: -2.16%
• 3Y*: 7.81%
• 5Y*: 6.28%
• 10Y*: 9.04%
• ALL TIME*: 8.80%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	$2.39M	$1.68M	$1.69M
SMIN iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF	$9.23M	$9.44M	$11.13M

NFTY vs. SMIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-5.91%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%
SMIN iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF	0.14%	-6.68%	16.78%	35.41%	-14.23%	44.43%	19.59%	-5.21%	-25.55%	62.36%

Correlation

The correlation between NFTY and SMIN is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2012	0.49

Over the past year, NFTY and SMIN have become more correlated (0.84) than their long-term average of 0.49, meaning their price movements have been converging.

NFTY vs. SMIN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NFTY	SMIN
Financial Services	22.0%	17.0%
Consumer Cyclical	16.2%	14.5%
Basic Materials	11.9%	11.0%
Healthcare	10.2%	15.0%
Technology	9.7%	8.5%
Industrials	8.1%	21.7%
Consumer Defensive	8.0%	4.0%
Energy	7.9%	1.0%
Utilities	4.0%	2.6%
Communication Services	2.0%	1.5%
Real Estate	-	3.4%

Return for Risk

NFTY vs. SMIN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 8
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 8
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 9

SMIN

SMIN Risk / Return Rank: 9
SMIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
SMIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
SMIN Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SMIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
SMIN Martin Ratio Rank: 9

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NFTY vs. SMIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) and iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN). 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.

	NFTY	SMIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.15	-0.13	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.11	-0.06	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	0.99	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	-0.11	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.31	-0.29	-0.03

NFTY vs. SMIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.15, which is comparable to the SMIN Sharpe Ratio of -0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFTY and SMIN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NFTY vs. SMIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFTY drawdown since its inception was -47.67%, smaller than the maximum SMIN drawdown of -60.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFTY and SMIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFTY	SMIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.67%	-60.50%	+12.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.14%	-21.99%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-27.58%	+6.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.55%	-27.58%	+6.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.67%	-60.50%	+12.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.99%	-12.42%	-1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.65%	-14.60%	+4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.98%	8.75%	-1.77%

Volatility

NFTY vs. SMIN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) is 3.54%, while iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that NFTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NFTY	SMIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.91%	-1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.71%	15.74%	-3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.82%	19.05%	-4.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	18.99%	-1.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.64%	22.84%	-2.20%

NFTY vs. SMIN - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFTY has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SMIN's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFTY vs. SMIN - Dividend Comparison

NFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than SMIN's 2.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.88%	1.24%	1.61%	0.13%	5.89%	1.53%	0.61%	0.97%	0.00%	4.10%	3.28%	4.39%
SMIN iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF	2.01%	2.01%	6.84%	0.41%	0.01%	1.27%	1.06%	1.75%	1.68%	0.89%	2.30%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NFTY and SMIN in my portfolio?

NFTY and SMIN have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFTY or SMIN?

SMIN has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to NFTY (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFTY dropped -47.67% vs SMIN's -60.50%.

Which ETF is better, NFTY or SMIN?

On 10-year performance, SMIN leads with 9.04% vs 7.50% for NFTY. On fees, SMIN is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, NFTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFTY or SMIN?

Over the 10-year period, SMIN has performed better with a 9.04% return vs 7.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFTY or SMIN?

SMIN is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NFTY or SMIN?

SMIN has the higher dividend yield at 2.01%, compared with 1.88% for NFTY.

What is the main difference between NFTY and SMIN?

NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index, while SMIN tracks MSCI India Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for NFTY and 0.74% for SMIN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.13 vs -0.15), 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.