ESMLvsMSSMETF Comparison
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iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) belongs to the US Small Cap segment. Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) is part of the US Multi-Factor segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Finance, Technology and Healthcare. ESML is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.17%, versus 0.89% for MSSM. ESML is up 17.56% year-to-date (YTD) with +$411M in YTD flows. MSSM performs worse with 15.88% YTD performance, and -$82M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ESML and MSSM below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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ESML vs MSSM performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/11/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESML MSSM | -3.17%-4.31% | +0.16%-1.83% | +17.56%+15.88% | +19.55%+18.51% | +59.27%n/a | +44.00%n/a |
| Flows | ESML MSSM | -$7M+$3M | +$20M-$18M | +$411M-$82M | +$416M-$82M | +$636M- | +$1.10B- |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML MSSM | +14.73%+13.81% | +16.84%+17.48% | +19.66%n/a | +21.24%n/a |
| Max drawdown | ESML MSSM | -5.69%-6.17% | -9.05%-9.62% | -26.61%n/a | -28.52%n/a |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML MSSM | 26d26d | 46d46d | 296dn/a | 980dn/a |
Trading data
ESML | MSSM | |
Last sale 9/14/2026 at 7:04 PM | $53.68 | $58.36 |
| Previous close 09/11/2026 | $53.79 | $58.61 |
| Consolidated volume 09/11/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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MSSM
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexESML | MSSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/14/2026 at 7:04 PM
Live
Closed
ESML | MSSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $53.68 | $58.36 |
| 1D performance | -0.20% | -0.42% |
| AuM | $2.82 B | $702.98 M |
| E/R | 0.17% | 0.89% |
Characteristics
ESML | MSSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | iShares | Morgan Stanley |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 901 | 1801 |
| Asset class | Equities | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | December 9, 2024 |
| ESG | Yes | No |
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Exposure
Countries
ESML
USA
96.59%
Other
3.41%
MSSM
USA
90.63%
Other
9.37%
Sectors
ESML
Finance
22.56%
Technology
16.47%
Healthcare
14.46%
Industrials
13.98%
Other
32.53%
MSSM
Finance
21.3%
Technology
15.21%
Healthcare
14.69%
Industrials
13.77%
Other
35.02%
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Diversification
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
7.94%
MSSM
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
9.05%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
ESML
Sandisk Corp.
2.76%
US Foods Holding Corp.
0.55%
Assurant, Inc.
0.50%
Ovintiv, Inc.
0.43%
ATI, Inc.
0.40%
Carpenter Technology Corp.
0.39%
nVent Electric Plc
0.37%
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
0.36%
Woodward, Inc.
0.33%
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
0.32%
Equitable Holdings, Inc.
0.31%
Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
0.31%
Moderna, Inc.
0.31%
Brixmor Property Group, Inc.
0.31%
East West Bancorp, Inc.
0.31%
MSSM
TechnipFMC plc
0.83%
Ascendis Pharma A/S
0.83%
ViaSat, Inc.
0.76%
Dynatrace, Inc.
0.66%
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
0.65%
KBR, Inc.
0.62%
Regal Rexnord Corp.
0.61%
Veeco Instruments, Inc.
0.58%
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.
0.54%
Plexus Corp.
0.51%
Life Time Group Holdings, Inc.
0.50%
Wintrust Financial Corp.
0.50%
Resideo Technologies, Inc.
0.49%
IMAX Corp.
0.49%
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.
0.49%
Frequently asked questions about ESML and MSSM
How have the ESML and MSSM ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 11, 2026, ESML is up 17.56% year-to-date (YTD), while MSSM has returned 15.88%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ESML or MSSM?
Year-to-date, the ESML ETF saw +$411M in flows, compared to -$82M for MSSM.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or MSSM?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 16.84%, while MSSM experienced 17.48%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or MSSM?
As of September 11, 2026, ESML holds $2.82 B in assets under management (AUM), while MSSM manages $702.98 M.
What sectors do the ESML and MSSM ETFs invest in?
ESML leans toward sectors like Finance, Technology and Healthcare. Meanwhile, MSSM focuses on Finance, Technology and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the ESML ETF and MSSM ETF?
ESML top holdings include Sandisk Corp., US Foods Holding Corp. and Assurant, Inc.. MSSM holds in its top three: TechnipFMC plc, Ascendis Pharma A/S and ViaSat, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or MSSM?
ESML holds 904 securities with 7.94% of its assets in the top 15. MSSM has 1814 securities and a top 15 weight of 9.05%.
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