SMDX vs. ISCB
SMDX (Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF) and ISCB (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SMDX is actively managed, while ISCB is passively managed. Over the past year, SMDX returned 28.25% vs 29.48% for ISCB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMDX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ISCB.
Performance
SMDX vs. ISCB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMDX achieves a 13.72% return, which is significantly higher than ISCB's 11.43% return.
SMDX
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 2.07%
- YTD
- 13.72%
- 6M
- 13.55%
- 1Y
- 28.25%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ISCB
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- 2.77%
- YTD
- 11.43%
- 6M
- 11.42%
- 1Y
- 29.48%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- 5.72%
- 10Y*
- 9.30%
SMDX vs. ISCB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF | 13.72% | 14.21% |
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 11.43% | 13.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMDX and ISCB is 0.94, 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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2025 | 0.91 |
The correlation between SMDX and ISCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SMDX vs. ISCB — Risk / Return Rank
SMDX
ISCB
SMDX vs. ISCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). 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.
| SMDX | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.31 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.28 | 3.15 | +0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.40 | 11.26 | +0.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SMDX | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.72 | 1.80 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.27 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.41 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.10 | 0.38 | +0.72 |
Drawdowns
SMDX vs. ISCB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMDX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, smaller than the maximum ISCB drawdown of -61.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDX and ISCB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMDX | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.52% | -61.25% | +46.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.66% | -9.39% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -26.22% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.94% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.18% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.56% | -0.67% | +0.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.39% | -9.80% | +7.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.49% | 2.63% | -0.14% |
Volatility
SMDX vs. ISCB - Volatility Comparison
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) have volatilities of 4.26% and 4.28%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SMDX | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.26% | 4.28% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.50% | 11.43% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.56% | 16.51% | +0.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 21.39% | -0.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 22.68% | -1.49% |
SMDX vs. ISCB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMDX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCB's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
SMDX vs. ISCB - Dividend Comparison
SMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than ISCB's 1.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 1.27% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.49% | 1.63% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.60% | 1.24% | 1.58% | 1.40% |
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF | 0.53% | 0.61% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, SMDX and ISCB 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.
ISCB has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to SMDX (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMDX dropped -14.52% vs ISCB's -61.25%.
On 1-year performance, ISCB leads with 29.48% vs 28.25% for SMDX. On fees, ISCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ISCB has performed better with a 29.48% return vs 28.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMDX.
ISCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.53% for SMDX.
They also come from different issuers: Intech and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMDX and 0.04% for ISCB.
ISCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.72), 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.
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