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What Is the ESSC ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs

Updated August 16, 2026 · First published August 16, 2026

The ESSC ETF, the Eventide Small Cap ETF, is an actively managed fund that applies values-based criteria to U.S. small-cap stocks in pursuit of long-term capital growth. This article looks at the ESSC ETF's distribution policy and management approach, the small-cap market outlook, and how it differs from comparable products.

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🏷️

What Is the Eventide Small Cap ETF?

The Eventide Small Cap ETF is an actively managed ETF designed for investors who want exposure to the U.S. small-cap market. It combines company selection based on values criteria with portfolio risk management, and it seeks long-term capital growth.

It suits long-term investors who want small-cap exposure and also want to factor a company's business practices and values criteria into their investment decisions.

It is an actively managed ETF run by Eventide Investments.

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How Does the Eventide Small Cap ETF Invest?

ItemDetails
Tracking IndexBloomberg US 2000 Total Return Index
Management StyleActive management
Rebalancing FrequencyAdjusted at the manager's discretion
Distribution FrequencySemiannual distributions
Expense Ratio0.49%
Fund ManagerEventide Investments

The fund invests broadly in U.S. small-cap stocks, but it selects only companies that pass the manager's proprietary valuation framework and qualitative review. Rather than replicating an index mechanically, it takes an active approach that combines portfolio construction with risk management.

  • Company selection that reflects values criteria
  • Greater emphasis on management judgment than on index replication
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Eventide Small Cap ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)

Assets under management (AUM) stand at $33.7M, and the total expense ratio is 0.49% per year.

As a micro-cap-sized ETF, its trading volume and bid-ask spread can widen depending on when you invest. The total expense ratio can translate into differences in long-term holding costs compared with similar products, so it is worth checking.

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Eventide Small Cap ETF Performance and Trends

1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
Dividend Yield 0.60%
Annual Dividend (TTM) $0.17
1Y Return +13.7%
Next Ex-Dividend Date 9/29/2026
52-Week Price Range
$29
Low $21 High $32
vs. low +38.79% vs. high -10.38%

U.S. small-cap performance tends to be highly sensitive to changes in economic expectations, financing conditions, and corporate earnings. The performance of the ESSC ETF can also be affected by both the small-cap market's direction and the results of its values-based stock selection.

For micro-cap ETFs, the gap between market price and net asset value can vary with trading participation and creation and redemption activity. Investors should look beyond the market backdrop and also check trading volume, bid-ask spreads, and the sustainability of the distribution policy.

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Eventide Small Cap ETF Strengths and Weaknesses

The fund is characterized by actively managed small-cap investing that reflects values criteria, but investors should also consider small-cap volatility and the trading conditions that come with a micro-cap-sized fund.

💪 Key Strengths

Values-Based Selection
It applies the valuation framework set out by the manager and also reviews the business practices of its investment targets.
Diversified Small-Cap Access
It offers broad access to the U.S. small-cap market while combining portfolio construction with risk management.
Active Management
Because it does not simply replicate an index, it can select stocks that reflect market conditions and company assessments.

⚠️ Points to Watch

Small-Cap Volatility
Changes in economic expectations and financing conditions can have a large impact on small-cap share prices.
Values Criteria Deviation
Selection results based on values criteria may differ from the composition of a typical small-cap index.
Trading Conditions
Because of its micro-cap size, trading volume and bid-ask spreads can vary depending on when you invest.
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Eventide Small Cap ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products

Among the ETFs in the comparison table, the DYNF ETF is an actively managed equity product that uses factor rotation, while the THRO ETF takes an active approach centered on thematic rotation. The ARKK ETF has a strong innovation-theme character, so its investment criteria may differ from those of the ESSC ETF. The JMEE ETF and the PSC ETF offer benchmarks for comparing small-cap and small- to mid-cap exposure, alongside fees, management style, distribution policy, and trading conditions. Information on direct substitutes is limited.

Peer Comparison ETFs
TickerNamePriceChangeAUMTotal Expense RatioDividend Yield1Y
DYNFDYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF$67.21-0.2%$42.3B0.26%0.84%+10.2%
THROTHROiShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF$42.77-0.2%$7.4B0.57%0.3%+10.6%
ARKKARKKARK Innovation ETF$76.50-2.5%$6.2B0.75%--6.0%
JMEEJMEEJPMorgan Small & Mid Cap Enhanced Equity ETF$74.76-1.2%$3.0B0.24%0.97%+16.7%
PSCPSCPrincipal U.S. Small-Cap ETF$67.91-1.0%$2.7B0.38%0.59%+19.0%
Top Holdings
TickerNameWeightPriceChangeMarket CapP/EDividend Yield
RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc0.01%$176.35-2.4%$38.1B--
ESIESIElement Solutions Inc0.02%$33.32-2.1%$8.1B39.60.72%
AGXAGXArgan Inc0.01%$315.34-2.1%$4.4B24.90.67%
AEISAEISAdvanced Energy Industries Inc0.01%$228.78-1.2%$9.3B32.90.13%
AROCAROCArchrock Inc0.02%$27.09+1.6%$4.8B14.03.38%
FLEXFlex Ltd0.01%$78.18-1.0%$28.9B28.2-
HIWHIWHighwoods Properties Inc0.01%$30.93-0.8%$3.4B18.66.47%
CENXCENXCentury Aluminum Co0.01%$35.51-3.3%$3.5B4.2-
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Eventide Small Cap ETF Investor Checkpoints

Before adding the ESSC ETF to a portfolio, investors should check whether small-cap exposure is manageable within their overall asset allocation, whether the fund's values-based selection method fits their own investment principles, and whether they understand its trading costs and distribution policy.

CheckpointWhat to CheckCurrent Status
Small-Cap ExposureImpact of market swings on overall asset allocationConfirm tolerance for volatility
Values CriteriaThe manager's company selection principles versus your own standardsNeeds comparison with your investment principles
Trading ConditionsTrading volume and bid-ask spreadCheck according to market conditions
Distribution PolicyNature and sustainability of semiannual distributionsReview against your cash flow goals

The small-cap market can be sensitive to changes in the economic environment, financing conditions, and investor sentiment. In addition, trading conditions for micro-cap ETFs can vary across market phases, and values-based stock selection can produce results that differ from a standard index.

The Eventide Small Cap ETF can be a candidate for investors who want to reflect values criteria in their small-cap investing. However, it is advisable to make a decision in line with your own asset allocation principles after understanding the product's active management characteristics, trading conditions, distribution policy, and small-cap volatility.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.

This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.

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