ESML Performance — iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF
Data updated: 2026-07-27
ESML returned +15.98% year to date and +35.73% over one year to May 2026. Annualised returns are +18.86% over 3 years and +7.28% over 5 years. Against its Thematic Equity category average the fund came out behind over three years but ahead over one: $100 invested three years ago grew to $168, against $175 for the category, and to $136 over one year, against $125. Volatility over the past three years was 18.62% a year. In the 12 months to May 2026 the fund took in a net $22.1M, and assets reached $2.41B.
ESML Growth of $100
What $100 invested in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF grew to, compounded from monthly returns reported on SEC Form N-PORT, against the Thematic Equity category average over the same months.
| Period | ESML | Category average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year (Jun 2025 – May 2026) | $136 | $125 |
| 3 years (Jun 2023 – May 2026) | $168 | $175 |
| 5 years (Jun 2021 – May 2026) | $142 | $149 |
| Since data start (Sep 2019 – May 2026) | $221 | $237 |
ESML Trailing Returns
Total returns to May 2026, from SEC N-PORT.
| Period | Total return |
|---|---|
| YTD | +15.98% |
| 1 year | +35.73% |
| 3 years (annualised) | +18.86% |
| 5 years (annualised) | +7.28% |
ESML Annual Returns
Calendar-year total returns of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, compounded from monthly SEC N-PORT returns. Partial years show the months covered.
| Year | Total return |
|---|---|
| 2026 (Jan–May) | +15.98% |
| 2025 | +10.61% |
| 2024 | +11.87% |
| 2023 | +17.32% |
| 2022 | −17.21% |
| 2021 | +19.33% |
| 2020 | +19.77% |
| 2019 (Sep–Dec) | +10.80% |
ESML Monthly Returns
Monthly total returns as reported on SEC Form N-PORT.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +5.4% | +2.7% | −5.2% | +9.3% | +3.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | +3.6% | −5.3% | −6.6% | −2.5% | +5.8% | +4.7% | +1.7% | +5.5% | +1.9% | +0.6% | +1.8% | −0.1% |
| 2024 | −3.3% | +5.6% | +3.9% | −6.8% | +4.4% | −1.4% | +7.8% | −0.4% | +1.5% | −0.9% | +10.3% | −7.7% |
| 2023 | +10.3% | −1.4% | −4.6% | −1.5% | −1.9% | +8.5% | +5.1% | −3.9% | −5.9% | −6.4% | +9.1% | +11.2% |
| 2022 | −7.7% | +1.1% | +1.3% | −8.6% | −0.1% | −9.1% | +10.5% | −2.7% | −9.0% | +10.1% | +4.2% | −6.0% |
| 2021 | +4.2% | +6.2% | +2.1% | +3.8% | −0.2% | +1.4% | −1.9% | +1.8% | −2.9% | +4.5% | −4.2% | +3.5% |
| 2020 | −2.8% | −8.9% | −21.8% | +15.0% | +6.3% | +3.1% | +4.1% | +5.0% | −2.8% | +2.8% | +16.6% | +7.9% |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | +1.9% | +1.9% | +3.7% | +2.9% |
ESML Risk
Risk measures from monthly returns over Jun 2023 – May 2026.
- 3-year volatility (annualised): 18.62%
- 3-year Sharpe ratio: 0.77 (vs 4.5% risk-free rate)
- Best month: +11.24% (Dec 2023)
- Worst month: −7.69% (Dec 2024)
ESML Fund Flows
Monthly money in and out of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF, from SEC Form N-PORT.
- 12-month net flow: $22.1M
- 12-month gross sales (incl. reinvestments): $352.1M
- Sales ÷ redemptions: 1.07×
| Month | Sales | Redemptions | Net flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | $5.2M | $0 | $5.2M |
| Apr 2026 | $0 | $12.8M | −$12.8M |
| Mar 2026 | $9.4M | $93.5M | −$84.1M |
| Feb 2026 | $42.2M | $0 | $42.2M |
| Jan 2026 | $85.3M | $2.5M | $82.8M |
| Dec 2025 | $37.5M | $6.9M | $30.6M |
| Nov 2025 | $140.0M | $125.1M | $14.9M |
| Oct 2025 | $0 | $50.5M | −$50.5M |
| Sep 2025 | $9.0M | $13.5M | −$4.5M |
| Aug 2025 | $8.6M | $6.5M | $2.2M |
| Jul 2025 | $14.9M | $10.6M | $4.3M |
| Jun 2025 | $0 | $8.1M | −$8.1M |
ESML Assets Under Management
Net assets of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF by report date, from SEC N-PORT filings.
| Report date | Net assets |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-31 | $2.41B |
| 2026-02-28 | $2.35B |
| 2025-11-30 | $2.03B |
| 2025-08-31 | $1.99B |
| 2025-05-31 | $1.77B |
| 2025-02-28 | $1.87B |
| 2024-11-30 | $2.00B |
| 2024-08-31 | $1.81B |
| 2024-05-31 | $1.65B |
| 2024-02-29 | $1.58B |
| 2023-11-30 | $1.31B |
| 2023-08-31 | $1.40B |
For information only. Not investment advice: figures are as reported in SEC filings and may contain errors or be out of date. Past performance does not guarantee future results.