SGRW vs. ESML

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

SGRW (Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF) and ESML (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. SGRW is actively managed, while ESML is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

SGRW vs. ESML - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF (SGRW) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SGRW

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: 12.76%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ESML

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 22.18%
• 6M: 21.12%
• 1Y: 36.74%
• 3Y*: 17.74%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

SGRW vs. ESML - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SGRW Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF	30.61%
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF	15.16%

Correlation

The correlation between SGRW and ESML is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2026	0.88

Return for Risk

SGRW vs. ESML — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGRW

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

ESML

ESML Risk / Return Rank: 81
ESML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ESML Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ESML Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ESML Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ESML Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

SGRW vs. ESML - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF (SGRW) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML). 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.

	SGRW	ESML	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.16	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.04	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.36	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.09	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	14.99	—

Drawdowns

SGRW vs. ESML - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGRW drawdown since its inception was -16.25%, smaller than the maximum ESML drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGRW and ESML.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGRW	ESML	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.25%	-41.97%	+25.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-8.89%	+4.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.46%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SGRW	ESML	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.55%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.43%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.62%	17.10%	+10.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.62%	21.30%	+6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.62%	23.37%	+4.25%

Dividends

SGRW vs. ESML - Dividend Comparison

SGRW has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ESML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF	0.89%	1.08%	1.22%	1.31%	1.46%	0.94%	0.99%	1.10%	1.07%
SGRW Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGRW and ESML in my portfolio?

SGRW and ESML have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SGRW or ESML?

ESML has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.00% for SGRW.

What is the main difference between SGRW and ESML?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares.