AVSC vs. IWM
AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVSC is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSC returned 18.76%/yr vs 19.60%/yr for IWM. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
AVSC vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AVSC having a 21.34% return and IWM slightly higher at 21.64%.
AVSC
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 4.53%
- YTD
- 21.34%
- 6M
- 18.56%
- 1Y
- 44.03%
- 3Y*
- 18.76%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IWM
- 1D
- 0.88%
- 1M
- 4.83%
- YTD
- 21.64%
- 6M
- 18.08%
- 1Y
- 44.01%
- 3Y*
- 19.60%
- 5Y*
- 6.77%
- 10Y*
- 11.68%
AVSC vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 21.34% | 9.42% | 7.75% | 19.68% | -12.40% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 21.64% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -18.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between AVSC and IWM is 0.93, 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2022 | 0.97 |
The correlation between AVSC and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
AVSC vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
AVSC
IWM
AVSC vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) 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.
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.
| AVSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.36 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.61 | 4.01 | +1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 17.56 | 14.19 | +3.38 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
AVSC vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AVSC drawdown since its inception was -28.40%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSC and IWM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| AVSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.40% | -59.05% | +30.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.89% | -11.03% | +3.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.40% | -27.50% | -0.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -31.91% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.13% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.38% | 0.00% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.36% | -10.75% | +3.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.51% | 3.11% | -0.60% |
Volatility
AVSC vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) is 4.68%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that AVSC 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| AVSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.68% | 6.47% | -1.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.00% | 14.28% | -2.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.21% | 19.75% | -1.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.29% | 22.60% | -0.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.29% | 23.09% | -0.80% |
AVSC vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
AVSC 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
AVSC vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
AVSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than IWM's 0.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 1.20% | 1.16% | 1.17% | 1.42% | 1.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.89% | 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
With a correlation of 0.93, AVSC and IWM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IWM has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to AVSC (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSC dropped -28.40% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 3-year performance, IWM leads with 19.60% vs 18.76% for AVSC. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, AVSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IWM has performed better with a 19.60% return vs 18.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVSC.
AVSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.89% for IWM.
AVSC is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Both ETFs track Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVSC and 0.19% for IWM.
AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.24), 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.
Find the right allocation for AVSC and IWM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer