PDN vs. ISCF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDN (Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF) and ISCF (iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds - PDN tracks the FTSE RAFI Developed x US Mid/Small while ISCF tracks the MSCI World exUSA SmallCap Diversified Multi-Factor. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PDN returned 8.41%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for ISCF. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDN charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for ISCF.

Performance

PDN vs. ISCF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) and iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (ISCF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDN achieves a 10.22% return, which is significantly higher than ISCF's 7.28% return. Over the past 10 years, PDN has underperformed ISCF with an annualized return of 8.41%, while ISCF has yielded a comparatively higher 9.19% annualized return.

PDN

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 10.22%
• 6M: 12.61%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

ISCF

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.96%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

PDN vs. ISCF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDN Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF	10.22%	38.34%	0.57%	13.35%	-17.35%	9.03%	10.65%	19.17%	-18.38%	30.74%
ISCF iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	7.28%	33.65%	4.75%	11.50%	-15.07%	13.31%	7.65%	26.32%	-18.76%	38.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PDN and ISCF 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	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2015	0.85

The correlation between PDN and ISCF shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (all time) to 0.95 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PDN vs. ISCF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PDN	ISCF
Industrials	22.4%	23.3%
Financial Services	11.4%	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	12.4%
Technology	10.3%	10.5%
Basic Materials	10.0%	11.2%
Real Estate	8.6%	8.8%
Healthcare	5.4%	5.4%
Energy	5.1%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.1%
Communication Services	3.3%	3.8%
Utilities	2.4%	3.6%

Return for Risk

PDN vs. ISCF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDN

PDN Risk / Return Rank: 55
PDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PDN Martin Ratio Rank: 56

ISCF

ISCF Risk / Return Rank: 42
ISCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
ISCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ISCF Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ISCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
ISCF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

PDN vs. ISCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) and iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (ISCF). 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.

	PDN	ISCF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.54	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.18	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.28	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	1.94	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.64	7.28	+2.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDN vs. ISCF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDN Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the ISCF Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDN and ISCF, 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

	PDN	ISCF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	1.54	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.44	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.53	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.49	-0.21

Drawdowns

PDN vs. ISCF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDN drawdown since its inception was -59.32%, which is greater than ISCF's maximum drawdown of -40.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDN and ISCF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDN	ISCF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.32%	-40.79%	-18.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.26%	-11.34%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.25%	-13.85%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.68%	-30.70%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.94%	-40.79%	-1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.62%	-2.64%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.59%	-8.14%	-3.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	3.02%	-0.14%

Volatility

PDN vs. ISCF - Volatility Comparison

Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (ISCF) at 4.33%. This indicates that PDN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDN	ISCF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	4.33%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.11%	11.86%	+0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	14.39%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	16.66%	-0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	17.44%	-0.38%

PDN vs. ISCF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDN has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCF's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDN vs. ISCF - Dividend Comparison

PDN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, less than ISCF's 3.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCF iShares MSCI Intl Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	3.50%	3.76%	4.29%	3.94%	2.73%	3.93%	2.30%	2.87%	2.14%	1.97%	2.89%	1.46%
PDN Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF	3.08%	3.36%	3.36%	3.16%	2.68%	2.42%	1.79%	2.60%	2.21%	2.42%	2.16%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDN and ISCF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PDN and ISCF 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, PDN or ISCF?

PDN has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to ISCF (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDN dropped -59.32% vs ISCF's -40.79%.

Which ETF is better, PDN or ISCF?

On 10-year performance, ISCF leads with 9.19% vs 8.41% for PDN. On fees, ISCF is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, ISCF has been the lower-risk option at 4.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PDN or ISCF?

Over the 10-year period, ISCF has performed better with a 9.19% return vs 8.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PDN or ISCF?

ISCF is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PDN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PDN or ISCF?

ISCF has the higher dividend yield at 3.50%, compared with 3.08% for PDN.

What is the main difference between PDN and ISCF?

PDN tracks FTSE RAFI Developed x US Mid/Small, while ISCF tracks MSCI World exUSA SmallCap Diversified Multi-Factor. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PDN and 0.40% for ISCF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.54), 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.