RZG vs. SMMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RZG (Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF) and SMMD (iShares Russell 2500 ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - RZG tracks the S&P Small Cap 600 Pure Growth while SMMD tracks the Russell 2500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RZG returned 4.85%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for SMMD. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RZG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for SMMD.

Performance

RZG vs. SMMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF (RZG) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RZG having a 18.15% return and SMMD slightly higher at 18.37%.

RZG

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 18.15%
• 6M: 16.98%
• 1Y: 30.70%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 4.85%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

SMMD

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 4.41%
• YTD: 18.37%
• 6M: 18.20%
• 1Y: 36.03%
• 3Y*: 18.53%
• 5Y*: 7.64%
• 10Y*: —

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

RZG vs. SMMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RZG Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF	18.15%	10.22%	9.84%	19.15%	-29.00%	21.01%	17.76%	14.25%	-8.70%	11.22%
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF	18.37%	11.72%	11.87%	17.71%	-18.53%	18.30%	19.98%	28.01%	-10.58%	10.82%

Correlation

The correlation between RZG and SMMD is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2017	0.90

The correlation between RZG and SMMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

RZG vs. SMMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RZG	SMMD
Healthcare	22.0%	11.8%
Industrials	18.2%	21.0%
Technology	16.8%	18.8%
Financial Services	15.0%	13.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	10.6%
Real Estate	7.6%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	2.8%
Energy	3.0%	4.9%
Communication Services	1.9%	2.5%
Basic Materials	0.4%	4.4%
Utilities	0.4%	2.7%

Return for Risk

RZG vs. SMMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RZG

RZG Risk / Return Rank: 56
RZG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
RZG Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
RZG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
RZG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
RZG Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SMMD

SMMD Risk / Return Rank: 66
SMMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SMMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SMMD Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SMMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SMMD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

RZG vs. SMMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF (RZG) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD). 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.

	RZG	SMMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.11	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.96	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.36	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	3.75	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.94	14.29	-2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RZG vs. SMMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RZG Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the SMMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RZG and SMMD, 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

	RZG	SMMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.11	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.37	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.50	-0.13

Drawdowns

RZG vs. SMMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RZG drawdown since its inception was -58.52%, which is greater than SMMD's maximum drawdown of -41.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RZG and SMMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RZG	SMMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.52%	-41.06%	-17.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.63%	-9.66%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.73%	-25.50%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.33%	-28.26%	-10.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-0.63%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.13%	-8.37%	-3.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	2.53%	+0.05%

Volatility

RZG vs. SMMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF (RZG) is 4.68%, while iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) has a volatility of 5.17%. This indicates that RZG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RZG	SMMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	5.17%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	12.58%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.57%	17.20%	+1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.97%	20.82%	+2.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.64%	22.37%	+2.27%

RZG vs. SMMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RZG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SMMD's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

RZG vs. SMMD - Dividend Comparison

RZG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than SMMD's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RZG Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF	0.42%	0.37%	0.95%	1.43%	1.59%	0.22%	0.49%	0.70%	0.46%	0.44%	0.65%	0.70%
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF	1.05%	1.28%	1.27%	1.44%	1.79%	1.12%	1.31%	1.50%	2.45%	0.68%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RZG and SMMD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, RZG and SMMD 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, RZG or SMMD?

SMMD has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to RZG (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RZG dropped -58.52% vs SMMD's -41.06%.

Which ETF is better, RZG or SMMD?

On 5-year performance, SMMD leads with 7.64% vs 4.85% for RZG. On fees, SMMD is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, RZG has been the lower-risk option at 4.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RZG or SMMD?

Over the 5-year period, SMMD has performed better with a 7.64% return vs 4.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RZG or SMMD?

SMMD is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RZG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RZG or SMMD?

SMMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.42% for RZG.

What is the main difference between RZG and SMMD?

RZG tracks S&P Small Cap 600 Pure Growth, while SMMD tracks Russell 2500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RZG and 0.15% for SMMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.66), 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.