ESMLvsSMLFETF Comparison
VS
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 17.56% year-to-date (YTD) with +$411M in YTD flows. SMLF performs worse with 15.75% YTD performance, and +$856M 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.
Find out how industry players manage ETF portfolios. Discover our library of Model portfolios
ESML vs SMLF 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 SMLF | -3.17%-3.99% | +0.16%-0.02% | +17.56%+15.75% | +19.55%+15.99% | +59.27%+66.46% | +44.00%+67.26% |
| Flows | ESML SMLF | -$7M+$40M | +$20M+$198M | +$411M+$856M | +$416M+$1.40B | +$636M+$2.49B | +$1.10B+$2.25B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML SMLF | +14.73%+14.22% | +16.84%+17.35% | +19.66%+19.90% | +21.24%+21.15% |
| Max drawdown | ESML SMLF | -5.69%-5.84% | -9.05%-8.74% | -26.61%-26.10% | -28.52%-26.10% |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML SMLF | 26d26d | 46d81d | 296d266d | 980d266d |
Trading data
ESML | SMLF | |
Last sale 9/14/2026 at 1:30 PM | $53.60 | $85.61 |
| Previous close 09/11/2026 | $53.79 | $86.12 |
| 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
Create an account to view replication metrics
Join for free
ESML | SMLF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
Advertisement
Main metrics
Last update 9/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
ESML | SMLF | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $53.60 | $85.61 |
| 1D performance | -0.35% | -0.59% |
| AuM | $2.82 B | $4.16 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 | 901 | 890 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | April 28, 2015 |
| ESG | Yes | No |
Advertisement
Exposure
Countries
ESML
USA
96.59%
Other
3.41%
SMLF
USA
93.28%
Other
6.72%
Sectors
ESML
Finance
22.56%
Technology
16.47%
Healthcare
14.46%
Industrials
13.98%
Other
32.53%
SMLF
Finance
21.93%
Technology
17.24%
Healthcare
14.67%
Industrials
13.83%
Non-Energy Materi.
7.45%
Consumer Cyclical.
7.14%
Other
17.75%
Advertisement
Diversification
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
7.94%
SMLF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
10.16%
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%
SMLF
EMCOR Group, Inc.
0.95%
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.
0.86%
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
0.83%
Flex Ltd.
0.77%
nVent Electric Plc
0.75%
Jabil, Inc.
0.74%
Astera Labs, Inc.
0.67%
Tapestry, Inc.
0.66%
Natera, Inc.
0.62%
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
0.62%
Mueller Industries, Inc.
0.59%
Reliance, Inc.
0.55%
Popular, Inc.
0.54%
Tenet Healthcare Corp.
0.51%
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.
0.50%
Frequently asked questions about ESML and SMLF
How have the ESML and SMLF ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 11, 2026, ESML is up 17.56% year-to-date (YTD), while SMLF has returned 15.75%. 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 +$411M in flows, compared to +$856M for SMLF.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or SMLF?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 16.84%, while SMLF experienced 17.35%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or SMLF?
As of September 11, 2026, ESML holds $2.82 B in assets under management (AUM), while SMLF manages $4.16 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 Sandisk Corp., US Foods Holding Corp. and Assurant, Inc.. SMLF holds in its top three: EMCOR Group, Inc., Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury.
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or SMLF?
ESML holds 904 securities with 7.94% of its assets in the top 15. SMLF has 891 securities and a top 15 weight of 10.16%.
Advertisement
Advertisement
