iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) Performance
SMAX total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +6.0% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +7.2% total return
- Since first price
- +15.6% since 2024
SMAX trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | SMAX total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.6% | +0.6% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.2% | +4.2% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +6.0% | +6.0% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +7.2% | +6.1% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionOct 1, 2024 | +15.6% | +14.2% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: SMAX vs SPY
From Oct 1, 2024: SMAX grew to $11,563, SPY to $13,674.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
SMAX returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+8.0%), worst 2025 (+8.0%). 2026 is year to date.
SMAX annual returns table
| Year | SMAX | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +6.0% | −1.9% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +8.0% | −3.9% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
SMAX risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +7.8% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.19 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.11 |
| Best month | +2.6% |
| Worst month | −1.5% |
| Best 12 months | +10.8% |
| Worst 12 months | +7.4% |
| Positive months | 87% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
SMAX rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 13 | +6.9% | +7.9% | +10.8% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
SMAX performance overview
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) returned +7.2% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Oct 1, 2024 it has returned +15.6%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: SMAX chart, SMAX dividends. See the SMAX overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
SMAX performance FAQ
What is the SMAX return over the past year?
SMAX returned +7.2% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 6.1%.
How much would $10,000 invested in SMAX be worth?
$10,000 invested in SMAX at its first recorded close on October 1, 2024 would be worth about $11,563 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
How volatile is SMAX?
Over the past history SMAX had an annualized volatility of 3.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.19 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).