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Is iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) a Strong ETF Right Now?
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The iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF - Free Report) made its debut on 04/28/2015, and is a smart beta exchange traded fund that provides broad exposure to the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
Products that are based on market cap weighted indexes, which are strategies designed to reflect a specific market segment or the market as a whole, have traditionally dominated the ETF industry.
Market cap weighted indexes work great for investors who believe in market efficiency. They provide a low-cost, convenient and transparent way of replicating market returns.
But, there are some investors who would rather invest in smart beta funds; these funds track non-cap weighted strategies, and are a strong option for those who prefer choosing great stocks in order to beat the market.
This kind of index follows this same mindset, as it attempts to pick stocks that have better chances of risk-return performance; non-cap weighted strategies base selection on certain fundamental characteristics, or a mix of such characteristics.
Methodologies like equal-weighting, one of the simplest options out there, fundamental weighting, and volatility/momentum based weighting are all choices offered to investors in this space, but not all of them can deliver superior returns.
Fund Sponsor & Index
The fund is sponsored by Blackrock. It has amassed assets over $716.39 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs in the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF. ISCF seeks to match the performance of the MSCI World exUSA Small Cap Diversified Multiple-Factor Index before fees and expenses.
The STOXX International Small-Cap Equity Factor Index composes of global developed market small-capitalization stocks, excluding the US, that have favourable exposure to target style factors subject to constraints.
Cost & Other Expenses
Since cheaper funds tend to produce better results than more expensive funds, assuming all other factors remain equal, it is important for investors to pay attention to an ETF's expense ratio.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.24% for ISCF, making it one of the cheaper products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.67%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
ETFs offer diversified exposure and thus minimize single stock risk, but it is still important to delve into a fund's holdings before investing. Most ETFs are very transparent products and many disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
Looking at individual holdings, Banco De Sabadell (SAB) accounts for about 0.88% of total assets, followed by Finning International Inc (FTT) and Nishi-nippon Financial Holdings In.
Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 5.31% of ISCF's total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
Year-to-date, the iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF has added roughly 8% so far, and it's up approximately 12.54% over the last 12 months (as of 11/11/2026). ISCF has traded between $39.00 $46.30 in this past 52-week period.
The ETF has a beta of 0.83 and standard deviation of 15.11% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 1220 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider.
State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF (GWX) tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Under USD2 Billion Index and the Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) tracks FTSE DEVELOPED SMALL CAP EX US LIQUID INDEX. State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF has $905.63 million in assets, Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF has $5.52 billion. GWX has an expense ratio of 0.40% and SCHC changes 0.06%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.
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Is iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) a Strong ETF Right Now?
The iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF - Free Report) made its debut on 04/28/2015, and is a smart beta exchange traded fund that provides broad exposure to the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
Products that are based on market cap weighted indexes, which are strategies designed to reflect a specific market segment or the market as a whole, have traditionally dominated the ETF industry.
Market cap weighted indexes work great for investors who believe in market efficiency. They provide a low-cost, convenient and transparent way of replicating market returns.
But, there are some investors who would rather invest in smart beta funds; these funds track non-cap weighted strategies, and are a strong option for those who prefer choosing great stocks in order to beat the market.
This kind of index follows this same mindset, as it attempts to pick stocks that have better chances of risk-return performance; non-cap weighted strategies base selection on certain fundamental characteristics, or a mix of such characteristics.
Methodologies like equal-weighting, one of the simplest options out there, fundamental weighting, and volatility/momentum based weighting are all choices offered to investors in this space, but not all of them can deliver superior returns.
Fund Sponsor & Index
The fund is sponsored by Blackrock. It has amassed assets over $716.39 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs in the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF. ISCF seeks to match the performance of the MSCI World exUSA Small Cap Diversified Multiple-Factor Index before fees and expenses.
The STOXX International Small-Cap Equity Factor Index composes of global developed market small-capitalization stocks, excluding the US, that have favourable exposure to target style factors subject to constraints.
Cost & Other Expenses
Since cheaper funds tend to produce better results than more expensive funds, assuming all other factors remain equal, it is important for investors to pay attention to an ETF's expense ratio.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.24% for ISCF, making it one of the cheaper products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.67%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
ETFs offer diversified exposure and thus minimize single stock risk, but it is still important to delve into a fund's holdings before investing. Most ETFs are very transparent products and many disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
Looking at individual holdings, Banco De Sabadell (SAB) accounts for about 0.88% of total assets, followed by Finning International Inc (FTT) and Nishi-nippon Financial Holdings In.
Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 5.31% of ISCF's total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
Year-to-date, the iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF has added roughly 8% so far, and it's up approximately 12.54% over the last 12 months (as of 11/11/2026). ISCF has traded between $39.00 $46.30 in this past 52-week period.
The ETF has a beta of 0.83 and standard deviation of 15.11% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 1220 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider.
State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF (GWX) tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Under USD2 Billion Index and the Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) tracks FTSE DEVELOPED SMALL CAP EX US LIQUID INDEX. State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF has $905.63 million in assets, Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF has $5.52 billion. GWX has an expense ratio of 0.40% and SCHC changes 0.06%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.