SMDX vs. IWC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) and iShares Microcap ETF (IWC).

SMDX and IWC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMDX is an actively managed fund by Intech. It was launched on Feb 27, 2025. IWC is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Russell Microcap Index. It was launched on Aug 12, 2005.

Performance

SMDX vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) and iShares Microcap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMDX vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF	2.96%	14.21%
IWC iShares Microcap ETF	1.36%	29.61%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMDX achieves a 2.96% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 1.36% return.

SMDX

• 1D: 2.77%
• 1M: -4.72%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 6M: 4.62%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWC

• 1D: 4.11%
• 1M: -4.95%
• YTD: 1.36%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 45.56%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

SMDX vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMDX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

IWC

iShares Microcap ETF

SMDX

Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF

Return for Risk

SMDX vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMDX

SMDX Risk / Return Rank: 62
SMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 87
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

SMDX vs. IWC - 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 Microcap ETF (IWC). 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	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.74	-0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.38	-0.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.30	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	3.27	-1.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	10.63	-3.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMDX vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMDX and IWC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMDX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.74	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.28	+0.46

Correlation

The correlation between SMDX and IWC is 0.79, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SMDX vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

SMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, less than IWC's 1.06% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF	0.59%	0.61%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWC iShares Microcap ETF	1.06%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%

Drawdowns

SMDX vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMDX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDX and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMDX	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.52%	-64.61%	+50.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.06%	-13.35%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-40.68%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.13%	-8.83%	+2.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.54%	-15.39%	+12.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.22%	4.11%	-0.89%

Volatility

SMDX vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) is 6.38%, while iShares Microcap ETF (IWC) has a volatility of 9.16%. This indicates that SMDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMDX	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	9.16%	-2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.20%	18.06%	-5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.52%	26.33%	-4.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	24.40%	-2.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.98%	24.30%	-2.32%