AIMS vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AIMS (Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. AIMS is actively managed, while IWC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIMS charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

AIMS vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF (AIMS) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

AIMS

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 5.73%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWC

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 23.36%
• 6M: 19.51%
• 1Y: 59.41%
• 3Y*: 23.10%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 12.07%

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

AIMS vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
AIMS Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF	11.59%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	13.68%

Correlation

The correlation between AIMS and IWC is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2026	0.87

Return for Risk

AIMS vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIMS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 77
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

AIMS vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF (AIMS) and iShares Micro-Cap 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIMS	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.45	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.14	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.38	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.80	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	15.64	—

Drawdowns

AIMS vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIMS drawdown since its inception was -9.18%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIMS and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIMS	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-64.61%	+55.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-12.43%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-40.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	0.00%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-15.25%	+12.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.81%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AIMS	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.66%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	18.16%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.26%	24.39%	-4.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.26%	24.58%	-4.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.26%	24.52%	-4.26%

AIMS vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIMS has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIMS vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

AIMS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IWC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIMS Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.98%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIMS and IWC in my portfolio?

AIMS and IWC have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AIMS or IWC?

On fees, IWC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIMS or IWC?

IWC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIMS or IWC?

IWC has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for AIMS.

What is the main difference between AIMS and IWC?

They also come from different issuers: Acuitas Investments and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AIMS and 0.60% for IWC.