XJR vs. SMMV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XJR (iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF) and SMMV (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds from iShares - XJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Sustainability Screened Index while SMMV tracks the MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XJR returned 7.17%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for SMMV. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XJR charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SMMV.

Performance

XJR vs. SMMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJR achieves a 21.53% return, which is significantly higher than SMMV's 9.33% return.

XJR

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.71%
• 6M: 15.81%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 1Y: 33.14%
• 3Y*: 13.33%
• 5Y*: 7.17%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.09%

SMMV

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 7.36%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 1Y: 16.10%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.71%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	$337.38K	$347.17K	$431.55K
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	$397.40K	$346.04K	$432.61K

XJR vs. SMMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	21.53%	4.73%	9.59%	16.39%	-17.30%	24.96%	35.61%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	9.33%	6.42%	18.29%	5.63%	-10.00%	16.64%	19.52%

Correlation

The correlation between XJR and SMMV is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2020	0.87

The correlation between XJR and SMMV shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XJR vs. SMMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XJR	SMMV
Financial Services	17.7%	9.2%
Technology	16.2%	13.7%
Industrials	15.8%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	5.3%
Healthcare	12.6%	18.7%
Real Estate	7.7%	12.5%
Basic Materials	4.5%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	7.6%
Communication Services	3.3%	5.1%
Energy	3.1%	5.2%
Utilities	1.5%	7.5%

Return for Risk

XJR vs. SMMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XJR

XJR Risk / Return Rank: 80
XJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
XJR Omega Ratio Rank: 74
XJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
XJR Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SMMV

SMMV Risk / Return Rank: 66
SMMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SMMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SMMV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SMMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SMMV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XJR vs. SMMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). 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.

	XJR	SMMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.58	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.42	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.28	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	2.19	+1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	6.75	+4.09

XJR vs. SMMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the SMMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJR and SMMV, 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

XJR vs. SMMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJR drawdown since its inception was -27.14%, smaller than the maximum SMMV drawdown of -38.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJR and SMMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJR	SMMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.14%	-38.77%	+11.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-7.02%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.14%	-13.68%	-13.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	-18.00%	-9.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.18%	-1.07%	-1.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.25%	-5.04%	-4.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.28%	+0.61%

Volatility

XJR vs. SMMV - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) at 2.85%. This indicates that XJR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XJR	SMMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	2.85%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	6.98%	+5.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.74%	9.75%	+7.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.30%	13.44%	+7.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.57%	15.62%	+5.95%

XJR vs. SMMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJR has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than SMMV's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XJR vs. SMMV - Dividend Comparison

XJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than SMMV's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	1.66%	1.77%	1.76%	2.30%	1.67%	1.08%	1.39%	1.64%	1.72%	1.63%	0.79%
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	0.94%	1.14%	1.96%	0.92%	1.29%	2.00%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJR and SMMV in my portfolio?

XJR and SMMV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJR or SMMV?

XJR has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to SMMV (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJR dropped -27.14% vs SMMV's -38.77%.

Which ETF is better, XJR or SMMV?

On 5-year performance, XJR leads with 7.17% vs 6.29% for SMMV. On fees, XJR is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, SMMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJR or SMMV?

Over the 5-year period, XJR has performed better with a 7.17% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJR or SMMV?

XJR is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SMMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJR or SMMV?

SMMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 0.94% for XJR.

What is the main difference between XJR and SMMV?

XJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Sustainability Screened Index, while SMMV tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for XJR and 0.20% for SMMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.58), 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.