SMIN vs. NORW

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SMIN (iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF) and NORW (Global X MSCI Norway ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMIN is a India Equities fund tracking the MSCI India Small Cap Index, while NORW is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Norway IMI 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMIN returned 9.48%/yr vs 9.10%/yr for NORW. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMIN charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for NORW.

Performance

SMIN vs. NORW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) and Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMIN achieves a 0.30% return, which is significantly lower than NORW's 17.03% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SMIN having a 9.48% annualized return and NORW not far behind at 9.10%.

SMIN

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 4.52%
• 6M: 3.12%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 1Y: -6.48%
• 3Y*: 8.99%
• 5Y*: 6.72%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

NORW

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -5.46%
• 6M: 15.05%
• YTD: 17.03%
• 1Y: 22.30%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 6.22%
• 10Y*: 9.10%

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

SMIN vs. NORW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMIN iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF	0.30%	-6.68%	16.78%	35.41%	-14.23%	44.43%	19.59%	-5.21%	-25.55%	62.36%
NORW Global X MSCI Norway ETF	17.03%	32.59%	-2.50%	5.03%	-12.55%	13.65%	26.00%	14.39%	-10.39%	24.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SMIN and NORW is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2012	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between SMIN and NORW has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SMIN vs. NORW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMIN	NORW
Industrials	22.4%	14.7%
Financial Services	16.3%	22.9%
Healthcare	14.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	0.2%
Basic Materials	10.7%	11.5%
Technology	7.9%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	12.1%
Real Estate	3.2%	0.4%
Utilities	2.8%	0.6%
Communication Services	1.4%	5.9%
Energy	0.8%	27.3%

Return for Risk

SMIN vs. NORW — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMIN

SMIN Risk / Return Rank: 6
SMIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SMIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SMIN Omega Ratio Rank: 6
SMIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
SMIN Martin Ratio Rank: 6

NORW

NORW Risk / Return Rank: 43
NORW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
NORW Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
NORW Omega Ratio Rank: 43
NORW Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
NORW Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

SMIN vs. NORW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) and Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW). 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.

	SMIN	NORW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.34	1.31	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.38	1.90	-2.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.23	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	1.55	-1.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.58	5.20	-5.77

SMIN vs. NORW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMIN Sharpe Ratio is -0.34, which is lower than the NORW Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMIN and NORW, 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

SMIN vs. NORW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMIN drawdown since its inception was -60.50%, which is greater than NORW's maximum drawdown of -35.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMIN and NORW.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMIN	NORW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.50%	-35.62%	-24.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.54%	-14.49%	-10.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.58%	-16.06%	-11.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.58%	-32.78%	+5.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.50%	-33.86%	-26.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.28%	-10.63%	-1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.61%	-10.13%	-4.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.27%	4.30%	+6.97%

Volatility

SMIN vs. NORW - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) and Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW) have volatilities of 5.69% and 5.67%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SMIN	NORW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	5.67%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.96%	13.89%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.09%	17.20%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	21.97%	-3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.84%	20.53%	+2.31%

SMIN vs. NORW - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMIN has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than NORW's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMIN vs. NORW - Dividend Comparison

SMIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.01%, less than NORW's 7.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NORW Global X MSCI Norway ETF	7.69%	3.44%	6.02%	5.27%	4.01%	1.51%	1.13%	2.47%	3.53%	3.64%	3.79%	2.95%
SMIN iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF	2.01%	2.01%	6.84%	0.41%	0.01%	1.27%	1.06%	1.75%	1.68%	0.89%	2.30%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMIN and NORW in my portfolio?

SMIN and NORW have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMIN or NORW?

SMIN has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to NORW (5.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMIN dropped -60.50% vs NORW's -35.62%.

Which ETF is better, SMIN or NORW?

On 10-year performance, SMIN leads with 9.48% vs 9.10% for NORW. On fees, NORW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMIN or NORW?

Over the 10-year period, SMIN has performed better with a 9.48% return vs 9.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMIN or NORW?

NORW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for SMIN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMIN or NORW?

NORW has the higher dividend yield at 7.69%, compared with 2.01% for SMIN.

What is the main difference between SMIN and NORW?

SMIN is categorized as India Equities, while NORW is Europe Equities. SMIN tracks MSCI India Small Cap Index, while NORW tracks MSCI Norway IMI 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for SMIN and 0.50% for NORW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NORW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs -0.34), 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.