SPATX vs. ISMF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPATX (Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund) and ISMF (iShares Managed Futures Active ETF) are both funds - SPATX is a Multistrategy fund managed by Symmetry Partners, while ISMF is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by iShares. Over the past year, SPATX returned 14.30% vs 22.64% for ISMF. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPATX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for ISMF.

Performance

SPATX vs. ISMF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX) and iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPATX having a 8.21% return and ISMF slightly higher at 8.37%.

SPATX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 8.21%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 14.30%
• 3Y*: 11.14%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: —

ISMF

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 6M: 11.16%
• 1Y: 22.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPATX vs. ISMF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPATX Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund	8.21%	7.14%
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	8.37%	11.58%

Correlation

The correlation between SPATX and ISMF is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

SPATX vs. ISMF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPATX

SPATX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SPATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SPATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SPATX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SPATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SPATX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ISMF

ISMF Risk / Return Rank: 89
ISMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ISMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
ISMF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
ISMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ISMF 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.

SPATX vs. ISMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX) and iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF). 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.

	SPATX	ISMF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.89	2.88	+1.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.99	3.91	+2.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	1.61	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.95	5.77	+4.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	35.92	19.96	+15.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPATX vs. ISMF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPATX Sharpe Ratio is 3.89, which is higher than the ISMF Sharpe Ratio of 2.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPATX and ISMF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPATX	ISMF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.89	2.88	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	2.17	-0.97

Drawdowns

SPATX vs. ISMF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPATX drawdown since its inception was -11.67%, which is greater than ISMF's maximum drawdown of -4.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPATX and ISMF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPATX	ISMF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.67%	-4.23%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-3.94%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.70%	-1.27%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	1.14%	-0.74%

Volatility

SPATX vs. ISMF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund (SPATX) is 1.27%, while iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) has a volatility of 1.89%. This indicates that SPATX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISMF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPATX	ISMF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.89%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.85%	6.33%	-3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.73%	7.92%	-4.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.27%	7.78%	-1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.05%	7.78%	-1.73%

SPATX vs. ISMF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPATX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than ISMF's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPATX vs. ISMF - Dividend Comparison

SPATX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than ISMF's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	5.75%	6.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPATX Symmetry Panoramic Alternatives Fund	2.82%	3.05%	2.65%	6.16%	6.22%	2.08%	0.00%	1.87%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPATX and ISMF in my portfolio?

SPATX and ISMF have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPATX or ISMF?

ISMF has higher volatility (1.89%) compared to SPATX (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPATX dropped -11.67% vs ISMF's -4.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.89 vs 2.88), 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.