RISN vs. ISMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RISN (Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF) and ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RISN is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Inspire, while ISMD is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index. RISN is actively managed, while ISMD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RISN returned 4.57%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for ISMD. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RISN charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for ISMD.

Performance

RISN vs. ISMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF (RISN) and Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RISN achieves a 6.51% return, which is significantly lower than ISMD's 21.54% return.

RISN

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 6.51%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 15.61%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: —

ISMD

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

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

RISN vs. ISMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RISN Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF	6.51%	10.83%	7.61%	10.29%	-18.06%	22.47%	7.73%
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	21.54%	4.14%	9.53%	16.74%	-13.44%	29.38%	29.49%

Correlation

The correlation between RISN and ISMD is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2020	0.69

The correlation between RISN and ISMD shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.78 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RISN vs. ISMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RISN	ISMD
Industrials	27.1%	17.7%
Financial Services	22.2%	15.2%
Technology	18.6%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	11.2%
Energy	6.8%	3.3%
Healthcare	4.5%	9.5%
Communication Services	4.0%	2.5%
Basic Materials	2.7%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	6.1%
Real Estate	-	8.9%
Utilities	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

RISN vs. ISMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RISN

RISN Risk / Return Rank: 39
RISN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
RISN Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
RISN Omega Ratio Rank: 33
RISN Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
RISN Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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

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.

RISN vs. ISMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF (RISN) and Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD). 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.

	RISN	ISMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.01	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	2.82	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.34	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	3.84	-1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	12.04	-4.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RISN vs. ISMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RISN Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the ISMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RISN and ISMD, 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

	RISN	ISMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.01	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.37	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.40	+0.25

Drawdowns

RISN vs. ISMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RISN drawdown since its inception was -21.88%, smaller than the maximum ISMD drawdown of -44.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RISN and ISMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RISN	ISMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.88%	-44.60%	+22.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.42%	-9.64%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-26.64%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.88%	-26.64%	+4.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-1.62%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.52%	-8.17%	+0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	3.07%	-0.88%

Volatility

RISN vs. ISMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF (RISN) is 3.79%, while Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that RISN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RISN	ISMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	4.95%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	12.52%	-3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	18.56%	-6.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.18%	20.87%	-9.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.34%	23.74%	-12.40%

RISN vs. ISMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RISN has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than ISMD's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

RISN vs. ISMD - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
RISN Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF	1.03%	0.98%	1.39%	2.05%	1.27%	9.74%	4.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RISN and ISMD in my portfolio?

RISN and ISMD have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RISN or ISMD?

ISMD has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to RISN (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RISN dropped -21.88% vs ISMD's -44.60%.

Which ETF is better, RISN or ISMD?

On 5-year performance, ISMD leads with 7.62% vs 4.57% for RISN. On fees, ISMD is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, RISN has been the lower-risk option at 3.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RISN or ISMD?

Over the 5-year period, ISMD has performed better with a 7.62% return vs 4.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RISN or ISMD?

ISMD is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.82% for RISN.

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

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

What is the main difference between RISN and ISMD?

RISN is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while ISMD is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.82% for RISN and 0.57% for ISMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.32), 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.