ESMLvsSMLFETF Comparison
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iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) belongs to the US Small Cap segment. iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) is part of the US Multi-Factor segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Finance, Technology and Healthcare. ESML is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.17%, versus 0.15% for SMLF. ESML is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD) with +$334M in YTD flows. SMLF performs worse with 16.82% YTD performance, and +$936M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ESML and SMLF 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 SMLF performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/29/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESML SMLF | +3.66%+3.31% | +2.53%+1.89% | +18.79%+16.82% | +20.21%+17.19% | +79.94%+86.03% | +41.55%+64.11% |
| Flows | ESML SMLF | -$61M+$76M | -$78M+$156M | +$334M+$936M | +$330M+$1.18B | +$606M+$2.58B | +$941M+$2.31B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML SMLF | +13.49%+13.91% | +16.33%+16.85% | +19.46%+19.69% | +21.17%+21.05% |
| Max drawdown | ESML SMLF | -8.35%-7.76% | -9.05%-8.74% | -26.61%-26.10% | -28.52%-26.10% |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML SMLF | 74d74d | 46d81d | 296d266d | 980d266d |
Trading data
ESML | SMLF | |
Last sale 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM | $53.48 | $85.29 |
| Previous close 10/29/2026 | $54.19 | $86.73 |
| Consolidated volume 10/29/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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ESML | SMLF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
ESML | SMLF | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $53.48 | $85.29 |
| 1D performance | -1.31% | -1.66% |
| AuM | $2.76 B | $4.28 B |
| E/R | 0.17% | 0.15% |
Characteristics
ESML | SMLF | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index | STOXX U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor USD Gross Return |
| N° of holdings | 905 | 933 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | April 28, 2015 |
| ESG | Yes | No |
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Exposure
Countries
ESML
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
SMLF
USA
93.41%
Other
6.59%
Sectors
ESML
Finance
21.56%
Technology
16.15%
Healthcare
15.79%
Industrials
14.06%
Other
32.43%
SMLF
Finance
20.8%
Technology
17.87%
Healthcare
14.74%
Industrials
14.07%
Non-Energy Materi.
7.56%
Other
24.96%
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Diversification
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
6.45%
SMLF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
9.71%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of September 30, 2026
ESML
Moderna, Inc.
1.07%
Assurant, Inc.
0.61%
US Foods Holding Corp.
0.53%
Ovintiv, Inc.
0.42%
Guardant Health, Inc.
0.38%
ONE Gas, Inc.
0.38%
Revvity, Inc.
0.37%
Royal Gold, Inc.
0.36%
Dynatrace, Inc.
0.35%
Nutanix, Inc.
0.35%
Equitable Holdings, Inc.
0.34%
Trimble, Inc.
0.33%
TXNM Energy, Inc.
0.32%
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
0.32%
Woodward, Inc.
0.31%
SMLF
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
0.97%
EMCOR Group, Inc.
0.93%
nVent Electric Plc
0.87%
Flex Ltd.
0.78%
Jabil, Inc.
0.71%
Everpure, Inc.
0.69%
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
0.63%
Mueller Industries, Inc.
0.56%
Guardant Health, Inc.
0.56%
Reliance, Inc.
0.55%
Tapestry, Inc.
0.52%
Tenet Healthcare Corp.
0.50%
Medpace Holdings, Inc.
0.50%
Popular, Inc.
0.50%
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
0.45%
Frequently asked questions about ESML and SMLF
How have the ESML and SMLF ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 29, 2026, ESML is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD), while SMLF has returned 16.82%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ESML or SMLF?
Year-to-date, the ESML ETF saw +$334M in flows, compared to +$936M for SMLF.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or SMLF?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 16.33%, while SMLF experienced 16.85%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or SMLF?
As of October 29, 2026, ESML holds $2.76 B in assets under management (AUM), while SMLF manages $4.28 B.
What sectors do the ESML and SMLF ETFs invest in?
ESML leans toward sectors like Finance, Technology and Healthcare. Meanwhile, SMLF focuses on Finance, Technology and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the ESML ETF and SMLF ETF?
ESML top holdings include Moderna, Inc., Assurant, Inc. and US Foods Holding Corp.. SMLF holds in its top three: BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury, EMCOR Group, Inc. and nVent Electric Plc.
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or SMLF?
ESML holds 906 securities with 6.45% of its assets in the top 15. SMLF has 934 securities and a top 15 weight of 9.71%.
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