Grow it · ETFs

FSML vs ISO

Compare fees, returns, income and risk for these 2 ASX-listed ETFs side by side.

At a glance

Comparing FSML and ISO. ISO has the lower management fee at 0.55% a year, FSML has the higher 5 years return at 6.9% a year, and FSML offers the higher at 5.89%.
Lower fee
ISO 0.55% p.a.
Higher 5 years return
FSML 6.9% p.a.
Higher yield
FSML 5.89%
Higher risk-adjusted
FSML Sharpe 0.28 (5y)
Lower volatility
ISO 16.6% (5y)
Larger fund
FSML $957m

Side-by-side comparison

Metric FSML
Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund - Active ETF
ISO
iShares S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF
Snapshot
Provider
—
iShares
Tracks index
S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index
S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index
Categories
AU, Small-Cap
AU, Small-Cap
Listed since
2020 (6 yrs)
—
Fund size (AUM)
$957m
$136m
Cost & income
Management fee
0.85%
0.55%
Dividend yield
5.89%
4.35%
Franking
60%
55%
Turnover
90%
25%
Tax drag 3.01% 1.29%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
-1.3%
net
-7.8%
net
3-year return
20.9%
net
9.3%
net
5-year return
6.9%
net
1.5%
net
10-year return
—
5.5%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
15.3%
14%
Volatility (5y)
16.9%
16.6%
Volatility (10y)
—
17%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
1.06
0.42
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.28
0.1
Sharpe ratio (10y)
—
0.27
Bid/ask spread
—
—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

FSML Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund - Active ETF
  • Top-16% returns over 3 years (37th of 236 ETFs we track).
  • High 5.89% income yield — good for investors who want regular cash flow.
  • Has lagged most peers over 1 year (237th of 318).
ISO iShares S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF
  • Pays a useful 4.35% income yield.
  • Has lagged most peers over 1 year (287th of 318).

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between FSML vs ISO?

FSML and ISO are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. ISO carries the lower management fee (0.55%). Over 5 years, FSML has delivered the higher total return (6.9% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - FSML vs ISO?

ISO has the lower management fee at 0.55% a year, versus FSML 0.85%.

Which has performed higher - FSML vs ISO?

Over the past 5 years, FSML has delivered the higher total return at 6.9% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

FSML pays the higher at 5.89%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

FSML is the larger fund by assets ($957m). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.

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