AOR vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AOR (iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AOR is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the S&P Target Risk Growth Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AOR returned 8.46%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AOR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

AOR vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (AOR) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AOR achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.69% return. Over the past 10 years, AOR has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.46%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.08% annualized return.

AOR

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 20.12%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 7.20%
• 10Y*: 8.46%

IWM

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 43.31%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 11.08%

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

AOR vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AOR iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF	7.96%	16.44%	10.68%	15.75%	-15.64%	11.19%	11.42%	18.91%	-5.82%	15.80%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.69%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between AOR and IWM is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2008	0.81

The correlation between AOR and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

AOR vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AOR	IWM
Technology	27.8%	19.5%
Financial Services	16.2%	15.8%
Industrials	11.9%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	7.8%
Communication Services	8.1%	2.0%
Healthcare	8.0%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	2.1%
Energy	4.3%	6.0%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.5%
Utilities	2.7%	3.0%
Real Estate	2.4%	5.7%

Return for Risk

AOR vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AOR

AOR Risk / Return Rank: 71
AOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
AOR Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
AOR Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 69
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

AOR vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (AOR) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

	AOR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.27	+0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.12	+0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.37	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.97	-0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.48	14.12	-0.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AOR vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AOR Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AOR and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AOR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.27	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.29	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.48	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.37	+0.32

Drawdowns

AOR vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AOR drawdown since its inception was -24.44%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOR and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AOR	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.44%	-59.05%	+34.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.64%	-11.03%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.77%	-27.50%	+17.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.72%	-31.91%	+10.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.95%	-41.13%	+18.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.13%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-10.77%	+7.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	3.10%	-1.58%

Volatility

AOR vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (AOR) is 2.70%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that AOR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AOR	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	5.56%	-2.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.81%	13.52%	-6.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.40%	19.14%	-10.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	22.52%	-11.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	23.04%	-12.37%

AOR vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AOR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AOR vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

AOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.46%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AOR iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF	2.46%	2.55%	2.66%	2.50%	2.12%	1.64%	1.89%	2.56%	2.49%	4.51%	2.16%	2.12%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.87%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AOR and IWM in my portfolio?

AOR and IWM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AOR or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to AOR (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOR dropped -24.44% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, AOR or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 11.08% vs 8.46% for AOR. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, AOR has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AOR or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 11.08% return vs 8.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AOR or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AOR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AOR or IWM?

AOR has the higher dividend yield at 2.46%, compared with 0.87% for IWM.

What is the main difference between AOR and IWM?

AOR is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. AOR tracks S&P Target Risk Growth Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AOR and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AOR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.