SDVY vs. ISMD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and ISMD (Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index while ISMD tracks the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 9.74%/yr vs 8.35%/yr for ISMD. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for ISMD.

Performance

SDVY vs. ISMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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, SDVY achieves a 10.50% return, which is significantly lower than ISMD's 25.15% return.

SDVY

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 10.50%
• 6M: 7.94%
• 1Y: 22.71%
• 3Y*: 17.76%
• 5Y*: 9.74%
• 10Y*: —

ISMD

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: 25.15%
• 6M: 22.92%
• 1Y: 38.78%
• 3Y*: 17.34%
• 5Y*: 8.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

SDVY vs. ISMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	10.50%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	25.15%	4.14%	9.53%	16.74%	-13.44%	29.38%	7.45%	24.62%	-12.63%	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and ISMD is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.85

The correlation between SDVY and ISMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. ISMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDVY	ISMD
Financial Services	33.3%	15.0%
Industrials	29.3%	16.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	11.0%
Technology	8.6%	17.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	5.3%
Basic Materials	4.6%	4.8%
Healthcare	3.4%	10.4%
Energy	2.9%	3.7%
Communication Services	2.3%	2.8%
Real Estate	0.6%	8.1%
Utilities	0.6%	3.1%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. ISMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 48
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 42
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 52

ISMD

ISMD Risk / Return Rank: 71
ISMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ISMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ISMD Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ISMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ISMD Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

SDVY vs. ISMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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.

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.

	SDVY	ISMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.08	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.92	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	4.04	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.44	12.71	-4.27

SDVY vs. ISMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the ISMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY 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.

Drawdowns

SDVY vs. ISMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, roughly equal to the maximum ISMD drawdown of -44.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and ISMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	ISMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-44.60%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-9.64%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-26.64%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-26.64%	+0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.64%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-8.13%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	3.06%	-0.36%

Volatility

SDVY vs. ISMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is 3.73%, while Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF (ISMD) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that SDVY 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

	SDVY	ISMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	5.66%	-1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	13.05%	-2.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	18.76%	-3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.96%	20.88%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.76%	23.72%	+1.04%

SDVY vs. ISMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ISMD's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. ISMD - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than ISMD's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISMD Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF	0.92%	1.21%	1.24%	1.17%	1.28%	9.35%	0.99%	0.88%	1.35%	2.02%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	1.17%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVY and ISMD in my portfolio?

SDVY and ISMD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVY or ISMD?

ISMD has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to SDVY (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs ISMD's -44.60%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or ISMD?

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 9.74% vs 8.35% for ISMD. On fees, ISMD is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or ISMD?

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 8.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or ISMD?

ISMD is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

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

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.92% for ISMD.

What is the main difference between SDVY and ISMD?

SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while ISMD tracks Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Inspire. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.57% for ISMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.49), 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.