^XAX vs. IWC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about NYSE American Composite Index (^XAX) and iShares Microcap ETF (IWC).

IWC is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Russell Microcap Index. It was launched on Aug 12, 2005.

Performance

^XAX vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NYSE American Composite Index (^XAX) and iShares Microcap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

^XAX vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^XAX NYSE American Composite Index	28.53%	46.53%	2.00%	11.10%	20.66%	45.17%	-7.51%	11.36%	-13.87%	15.31%
IWC iShares Microcap ETF	1.36%	22.45%	13.63%	8.99%	-21.93%	18.67%	20.88%	22.20%	-13.13%	12.79%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^XAX achieves a 28.53% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 1.36% return. Over the past 10 years, ^XAX has outperformed IWC with an annualized return of 14.73%, while IWC has yielded a comparatively lower 10.08% annualized return.

^XAX

• 1D: 2.13%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 28.53%
• 6M: 26.32%
• 1Y: 72.84%
• 3Y*: 27.34%
• 5Y*: 26.04%
• 10Y*: 14.73%

IWC

• 1D: 4.11%
• 1M: -4.95%
• YTD: 1.36%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 45.56%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

^XAX vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^XAX

^XAX Risk / Return Rank: 99
^XAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
^XAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
^XAX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
^XAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
^XAX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 87
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^XAX vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NYSE American Composite Index (^XAX) and iShares Microcap ETF (IWC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	^XAX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.13	1.74	+1.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	2.38	+1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.30	+0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.97	3.27	+1.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.61	10.63	+9.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^XAX vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^XAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.13, which is higher than the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^XAX and IWC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^XAX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.13	1.74	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.17	0.10	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.42	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.28	+0.23

Correlation

The correlation between ^XAX and IWC is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Drawdowns

^XAX vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^XAX drawdown since its inception was -54.41%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^XAX and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	^XAX	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.41%	-64.61%	+10.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.96%	-13.35%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.28%	-40.68%	+21.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.59%	-47.21%	-5.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-8.83%	+8.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.35%	-15.39%	+5.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	4.11%	-0.50%

Volatility

^XAX vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NYSE American Composite Index (^XAX) is 6.21%, while iShares Microcap ETF (IWC) has a volatility of 9.16%. This indicates that ^XAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^XAX	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.21%	9.16%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.18%	18.06%	-0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.40%	26.33%	-2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	24.40%	-1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.76%	24.30%	-2.54%