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SMN vs. IWS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMN vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

SMN (ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index (-200%), while IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMN returned -24.60%/yr vs 9.96%/yr for IWS. At a correlation of -0.82, they often move in opposite directions. SMN charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

SMN vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (SMN) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMN achieves a -20.64% return, which is significantly lower than IWS's 13.38% return. Over the past 10 years, SMN has underperformed IWS with an annualized return of -24.60%, while IWS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.96% annualized return.

SMN

1D
3.92%
1M
7.41%
YTD
-20.64%
6M
-25.54%
1Y
-26.57%
3Y*
-15.70%
5Y*
-13.64%
10Y*
-24.60%

IWS

1D
-1.87%
1M
0.15%
YTD
13.38%
6M
13.09%
1Y
25.77%
3Y*
16.56%
5Y*
8.05%
10Y*
9.96%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMN vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SMN
ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials		-20.64%-17.96%7.37%-20.23%-3.03%-45.83%-55.75%-33.63%32.74%-38.03%
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		13.38%10.82%12.91%12.52%-12.29%28.10%4.83%26.73%-12.43%13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between SMN and IWS is -0.78, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.78

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.82

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.83

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.82

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007

-0.82

The correlation between SMN and IWS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.83 to -0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with SMN:
SMN vs. SOXXSMN vs. SPYSMN vs. VGTSMN vs. ^GSPCSMN vs. VTSMN vs. BITOSMN vs. AMDG
Often compared with IWS:
IWS vs. IWPIWS vs. IWNIWS vs. IWDIWS vs. IMCVIWS vs. FIMVXIWS vs. IVVIWS vs. VBR

Return for Risk

SMN vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SMN
SMN Risk / Return Rank: 33
Overall Rank
SMN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMN Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMN Omega Ratio Rank: 33
Omega Ratio Rank
SMN Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMN Martin Ratio Rank: 33
Martin Ratio Rank
IWS
IWS Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SMN vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (SMN) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). 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.

SMNIWSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.78
1.95

-2.73

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.01
2.77

-3.78

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.89

1.34

-0.45

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.69

3.44

-4.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.24

12.94

-14.18

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMN vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMN Sharpe Ratio is -0.78, which is lower than the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMN and IWS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SMNIWSDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.78

1.95

-2.73

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.35

0.47

-0.81

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.57

0.52

-1.09

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.53

0.42

-0.95

Drawdowns

SMN vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMN drawdown since its inception was -99.92%, which is greater than IWS's maximum drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMN and IWS.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMNIWSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-99.92%

-62.40%

-37.52%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-38.52%

-7.53%

-30.99%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-53.71%

-20.57%

-33.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-66.05%

-21.23%

-44.82%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-95.39%

-43.83%

-51.56%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-99.91%

-1.87%

-98.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-90.55%

-8.02%

-82.53%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

21.45%

2.00%

+19.45%

Volatility

SMN vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (SMN) has a higher volatility of 10.97% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 3.73%. This indicates that SMN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SMNIWSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.97%

3.73%

+7.24%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

26.86%

9.74%

+17.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

34.06%

13.30%

+20.76%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

39.57%

17.32%

+22.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

42.91%

19.36%

+23.55%

SMN vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMN has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMN vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

SMN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than IWS's 1.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		1.36%1.53%1.50%1.76%1.93%1.39%1.87%1.97%2.53%1.96%2.10%2.14%
SMN
ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials		4.43%4.08%5.02%4.54%0.42%0.00%0.00%0.72%0.06%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SMN and IWS have a correlation of -0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMN has higher volatility (10.97%) compared to IWS (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMN dropped -99.92% vs IWS's -62.40%.

On 10-year performance, IWS leads with 9.96% vs -24.60% for SMN. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IWS has performed better with a 9.96% return vs -24.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SMN.

SMN has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 1.36% for IWS.

SMN is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while IWS is Mid Cap Value Equities. SMN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index (-200%), while IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SMN and 0.23% for IWS.

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs -0.78), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for SMN and IWS

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