Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
How It Works 
News - Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Fund Details
Upturn AI Summary
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF(MSML)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for MSML
10/28/2026: MSML (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
MSML is an iShares ETF that offers broad, cost-effective exposure to the U.S. small-cap equity market by tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Index. Its primary strength lies in its low expense ratio and the institutional quality of its issuer, BlackRock. It serves as a classic portfolio tool for investors seeking the higher growth potential—and higher volatility—associated with smaller companies. While it provides diversification, investors should be aware of the inherent market risks and potential for higher volatility compared to large-cap benchmarks. It is best suited for long-term investors with a higher risk appetite who are looking to tilt their portfolios toward small-cap equities.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | Small-cap stocks are historically utilized by growth investors seeking exposure to emerging businesses with high potential. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | Momentum investors may utilize this ETF during periods when small-cap equities are demonstrating relative strength. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While some small-caps are undervalued, the index approach is market-cap weighted rather than value-tilted. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | Small-cap companies are generally less likely to pay significant or stable dividends compared to large-cap mature firms. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Small-cap stocks inherently carry higher volatility and risk profiles than large-cap benchmarks. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is an individual or institutional participant seeking long-term growth and broad exposure to U.S. small-cap companies, with a high tolerance for short-term market fluctuations.
Suitability
MSML is best suited for long-term buy-and-hold investors looking to diversify a portfolio beyond large-cap stocks.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Small-cap stocks tend to exhibit greater price swings than the broader market. |
| Market risk | High | Economic downturns often impact small-cap companies more severely than large corporations. |
| Concentration | Low | The fund is well-diversified across hundreds of companies, reducing individual stock risk. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund maintains a low expense ratio and manages tracking error effectively. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Smaller companies may occasionally face lower trading volumes, affecting exit costs. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium / high | The fund holds a broad range of firms, some of which may have less stable earnings or higher debt levels. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
MSML exhibits higher historical volatility than large-cap indices, typical of the small-cap asset class.
Market Risk
The fund is susceptible to systematic risks, including interest rate sensitivity and macroeconomic downturns, which disproportionately affect smaller businesses.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | U.S. Small-Cap Equities | 99 | Provides broad diversification across the smaller end of the U.S. stock market. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1 | Minor cash balance held for liquidity and operational purposes. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 32.16% | Avg. Invested days 71 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/28/2026 |
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.