IQSM vs SMIZ
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF
Which is better, IQSM or SMIZ?
Each has led over a different period.
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. IQSM led over 1Y, SMIZ over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IQSM | SMIZ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $422M | $262M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.56% |
| Holdings | 496 | 402 |
| YTD Return | +13.87%Best | +8.19% |
| 1Y Return | +16.67%Best | +8.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.67% | +18.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 17.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7%Best | -25.0% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $15,809 | $16,841Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.0%Best | 11.1% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Zacks |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Oct 3, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2023 to Nov 12, 2026 (3.1 years).
IQSM vs SMIZ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.1 years both funds cover.
IQSM vs SMIZ Performance
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) is an ETF from Zacks. Over the past year IQSM returned +16.67% while SMIZ returned +8.99%. Year to date, IQSM is up 13.87% versus a gain of 8.19% for SMIZ.
Over three years, IQSM compounded at +16.67% per year against +18.26% for SMIZ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 14.9% for IQSM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.7% for IQSM and -25.0% for SMIZ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSM charges 0.15% per year while SMIZ charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $55 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSM currently yields 1.04% against 0.56% for SMIZ.
Holdings Overlap
14.5% of IQSM's money is in holdings SMIZ also owns. 15.6% of SMIZ's money is in holdings IQSM also owns.
SMIZ and IQSM share little of their money.
33 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 198 in SMIZ, against full books of 496 and 402.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 156 positions for SMIZ that do not appear in our book for IQSM (77.2% of the fund), and 204 for IQSM that do not appear in SMIZ (82.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IQSM | Weight in SMIZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMGAffiliated Managers Group Inc. | 0.39% | 1.11% | 0.72% |
| ARWArrow Electronics Inc. | 0.46% | 0.91% | 0.45% |
| WPCW.P Carey Inc. | 0.59% | 0.68% | 0.09% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 0.40% | 0.87% | 0.47% |
| STRLStrl Sterling Infrastructure Inc. | 0.56% | 0.65% | 0.09% |
| CHRWCh Robinson Worldwide Inc. | 0.71% | 0.48% | 0.23% |
| PTCPtc Inc | 0.87% | 0.30% | 0.57% |
| LFUSLittelfuse Inc | 0.40% | 0.68% | 0.28% |
| RNRRenaissancere Holdings Ltd Rnr | 0.56% | 0.51% | 0.05% |
| AEISAdvanced Energy Industries Inc. | 0.40% | 0.67% | 0.27% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IQSM and SMIZ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IQSM or SMIZ?
IQSM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SMIZ charges 0.55%. IQSM is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSM or SMIZ?
Over the past year IQSM returned +16.67% vs +8.99% for SMIZ, so IQSM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSM or SMIZ?
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.9% for IQSM. Worst drawdown: IQSM -23.7% vs SMIZ -25.0%.
Should I hold both IQSM and SMIZ?
IQSM and SMIZ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IQSM and SMIZ?
15.6% of SMIZ's money is in holdings IQSM also owns. 15.6% of SMIZ's is in holdings IQSM also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 198 in SMIZ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQSM or SMIZ?
IQSM yields 1.04% while SMIZ yields 0.56%, so IQSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMIZ better than IQSM?
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. IQSM led over 1Y, SMIZ over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.