ETF Evaluator:
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF ()
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(as of Aug 26)
Best Performing in Global Small/Mid Stock Over the Last Year
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ETF Details
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF Overview
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML) is a passively managed International Equity Global Small/Mid Stock exchange-traded fund (ETF). iShares launched the ETF in 2025.
The investment seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI World Small Cap Index.
The index is composed of small-capitalization developed market equities. The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its underlying index.
About iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML)
There are 4 members of the management team with an average tenure of 1.33 years: Jennifer Hsui (2025), Peter Sietsema (2025), Matt Waldron (2025) and Steven White (2025). Management tenure is more important for actively managed ETFs than passive index ETFs.
The ETF has 1 primary benchmark: MSCI World Small Cap NR USD index with a weighting of 100%. iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has 3551 securities in its portfolio. The top 10 holdings constitute 3.7% of the ETF’s assets. The ETF meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a diversified fund. The ETF is not considered to have an ESG focus with its investment selection and management.
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF is part of the Equity global asset class and is within the International Equity ETF group. iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has 38.1% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues. The overall assets allocated to domestic stock is 61.4% There is 38.1% allocated to foreign stock, and 0.0% is allocated to preferred stocks. The bond allocation as a percentage of total assets is 0.0% (0.0% domestic bond, 0.0% foreign bond and 0.0% convertible bond). iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has 0.4% of the portfolio in cash.
Assets Under Management
The fund has $653 million in total assets, which is above the $286 million average for the Global Small/Mid Stock category. Normally, lower assets under management translates to higher average expense ratios, and greater total assets are desired. However, for some investment categories, such as small-cap investing, it may be difficult for the manager to fully employ the desired active strategy if assets grow too large or too quickly.
WSML Performance and Fees
The expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for administrative expenses and operating expenses, including adviser fees and fees for the transfer agent and custodial services. The iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF expense ratio is below average compared to funds in the Global Small/Mid Stock category. iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has an expense ratio of 0.30%, which is 56% lower than its category average, making the fund expense ratio grade a A. While it is difficult to predict returns, it is known that high annual expense ratios reduce your rate of return, and excessive fees are difficult to overcome. Active management normally comes with higher expense ratios than passive index management. Certain investment categories such as small company and foreign also normally have higher expense ratios. It is best to compare fund expense ratios against the category averages for meaningful assessments.
High portfolio turnover can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 14%, which indicates that it holds its assets around / 0.1 years. By way of comparison, the average portfolio turnover is 94% for the Global Small/Mid Stock category.
Recently, in the month of July 2026, iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF returned -2.6%, which earned it a grade of C, as the Global Small/Mid Stock category had an average return of -3.4%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D and F are based upon relative rankings within the investment category. A grade of A, for example, would indicate that the return is in the highest 20% for that time period compared to all ETFs in that category.
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF has a trailing yield of 2.02%, which is above the 1.65% category average.
The fund normally distributes its income semi-annually and its capital gains annually.
It’s natural to seek the best-performing investments, but you must consider the relationship between risk and return and the impact of costs and taxes on your realized returns.
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF Grades
Year to date, the ETF has returned 14.1%, 1.6 percentage points better than the category, which translates into a grade of C. The fund has returned 26.3% over the past year (grade of C).
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WSML Trailing NAV Total Returns Data as of 7/31/26
| Last Month |
Last Quarter |
Ann'l. 1Yr |
Ann'l. 3Yr |
Ann'l. 5Yr |
Ann'l. 10Yr |
|
| WSML Return (NAV) | -2.6% | 2.8% | 26.3% | na | na | na |
| WSML Return (Price) | -2.4% | 3.0% | 26.0% | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Return | -0.163% | -0.192% | 0.272% | na | na | na |
| Global Small/Mid Stock Avg | -3.4% | -2.0% | 21.6% | 9.0% | -0.7% | 3.2% |
| WSML Grade (NAV) | C | B | C | na | na | na |
| +/- Category (NAV) | 0.9% | 4.8% | 4.8% | na | na | na |
| WSML Tax-Cost Ratio | na | na | 1.1% | na | na | na |
WSML Annual NAV Total ReturnsData as of 7/31/26
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| WSML Return (NAV) | 14.1% | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| WSML Return (Price) | 14.0% | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Ret | -0.002% | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Global Small/Mid Stock Avg | 12.5% | 21.5% | 3.5% | 3.0% | -21.6% | 0.3% | 44.8% | 26.2% | -16.9% | 19.7% | 3.3% |
| WSML Grade (NAV) | C | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category | 1.6% | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Risk Measures | |
| Beta: | na |
| R-Squared: | na |
| Standard Deviation: | na |
| Category Risk Index: | na |
| Category Risk Rating: | |
| Total Risk Index: | na |
| Total Risk Rating: | |
| Portfolio Characteristics | |
| Yield: | 2.0% |
| Total Assets: | $ 653 Mil |
| Share Class Assets: | $ 653 Mil |
| Turnover: | 14.0% |
| Expense Ratio: | 0.30% |
| Index Fund: | Yes |
| Index Tracked: | MSCI World Small Cap NR USD |
| Index Weighting: | 100% |
| Leveraged: | No |
| Socially Responsible Fund: | No |
| Capital Gains Distribution Frequency: | Annually |
| Income Distribution Frequency: | Semi-Annually |
Management Team
| Number of Managers: 4 | |||
| Longest Tenure: 1.3 years | |||
| Average Tenure: 1.3 years | |||
| Managers (Year): Hsui Jennifer (2025), Sietsema Peter (2025), Waldron Matt (2025), White Steven (2025) | |||
Portfolio Composition (as of 7/31/26)
| # of Holdings: | 3551 |
| % in Top 10 Holdings: | 3.7% |
| Fund is Non-Diversified: | No |
| % in Foreign Issues: | 38.1% |
Portfolio Allocation |
|
| Domestic Stock: | 61.4% |
| Foreign Stock: | 38.1% |
| Preferred Stock: | 0.0% |
| Domestic Bond: | 0.0% |
| Foreign Bond: | 0.0% |
| Convertible Bond: | 0.0% |
| Other: | 0.1% |
| Cash: | 0.4% |
Purchase Information
| Legal Structure: | Open Ended Investment Company |
| Fund Family: | iShares |
| Phone Number: | 800-474-2737 |
| Website: | www.ishares.com |
| Inception Date: | April 1, 2025 |
Expenses and Fees
| Expense Ratio (%): | 0.30% (Rating: Below Avg) |
| Category Average Expense Ratio (%): | 0.68% |
