SMLF vs. VSMAX
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX).
SMLF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. It was launched on Apr 28, 2015. VSMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
SMLF vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison
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SMLF vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.08% | 12.30% | 16.33% | 19.99% | -12.19% | 26.53% | 8.38% | 21.56% | -8.42% | 12.70% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | -1.21% | 8.83% | 14.23% | 18.17% | -17.61% | 17.74% | 19.06% | 27.36% | -9.33% | 16.24% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMLF achieves a 1.08% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's -1.21% return. Over the past 10 years, SMLF has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.15% annualized return.
SMLF
- 1D
- 3.34%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 2.12%
- 1Y
- 22.93%
- 3Y*
- 15.22%
- 5Y*
- 8.55%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
VSMAX
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- -8.09%
- YTD
- -1.21%
- 6M
- 0.58%
- 1Y
- 16.07%
- 3Y*
- 11.85%
- 5Y*
- 5.02%
- 10Y*
- 10.15%
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SMLF vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMLF has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
SMLF vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank
SMLF
VSMAX
SMLF vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.
| SMLF | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.02 | 0.75 | +0.27 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.55 | 1.19 | +0.36 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.16 | +0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.56 | 0.97 | +0.60 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.74 | 4.20 | +2.54 |
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
| SMLF | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.02 | 0.75 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 | 0.24 | +0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.47 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.37 | +0.12 |
Correlation
The correlation between SMLF and VSMAX is 0.91, 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
SMLF vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison
SMLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than VSMAX's 1.38% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.17% | 1.14% | 1.33% | 1.13% | 1.23% | 1.07% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.17% | 0.93% | 0.78% | 0.79% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.38% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.56% | 1.54% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.49% | 1.48% |
Drawdowns
SMLF vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMLF drawdown since its inception was -41.89%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLF and VSMAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMLF | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.89% | -59.68% | +17.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.59% | -14.30% | -0.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.28% | -28.14% | +1.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.89% | -41.82% | -0.07% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.66% | -8.97% | +3.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.68% | -9.75% | +3.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.38% | 3.30% | +0.08% |
Volatility
SMLF vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) has a higher volatility of 7.09% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 5.91%. This indicates that SMLF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SMLF | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.09% | 5.91% | +1.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.36% | 12.22% | +1.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.67% | 21.62% | +1.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.14% | 20.69% | +0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.75% | 21.52% | +0.23% |