AVSC vs. IWN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) and IWN (iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds - AVSC tracks the Russell 2000 Index while IWN tracks the Russell 2000 Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSC returned 17.09%/yr vs 17.66%/yr for IWN. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for IWN.

Performance

AVSC vs. IWN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) and iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AVSC having a 16.85% return and IWN slightly higher at 17.42%.

AVSC

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 38.76%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWN

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 17.42%
• 6M: 16.54%
• 1Y: 41.15%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: 10.16%

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

AVSC vs. IWN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	16.85%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-11.72%
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	17.42%	12.40%	7.63%	14.56%	-14.53%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSC and IWN is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2022	0.98

The correlation between AVSC and IWN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSC vs. IWN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSC	IWN
Financial Services	22.4%	24.2%
Consumer Cyclical	14.9%	8.7%
Industrials	13.0%	11.1%
Technology	12.6%	12.4%
Healthcare	11.5%	8.8%
Energy	9.5%	9.2%
Basic Materials	5.5%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	2.0%
Communication Services	3.0%	1.6%
Utilities	2.0%	5.7%
Real Estate	0.9%	10.2%

Return for Risk

AVSC vs. IWN — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 70
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

IWN

IWN Risk / Return Rank: 74
IWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
IWN Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IWN 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.

AVSC vs. IWN - 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 Value ETF (IWN). 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.

	AVSC	IWN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.33	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.28	-0.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.93	4.89	+0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.33	16.44	-1.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSC vs. IWN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSC Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the IWN Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSC and IWN, 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

	AVSC	IWN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.33	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.30	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.39	+0.01

Drawdowns

AVSC vs. IWN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSC drawdown since its inception was -28.40%, smaller than the maximum IWN drawdown of -61.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSC and IWN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSC	IWN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.40%	-61.55%	+33.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-8.45%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.40%	-26.70%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-1.47%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-10.16%	+2.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.51%	+0.03%

Volatility

AVSC vs. IWN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) is 4.49%, while iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that AVSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSC	IWN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.91%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	11.86%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.10%	17.81%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	21.43%	+0.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	23.39%	-1.05%

AVSC vs. IWN - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWN's 0.24% 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. IWN - Dividend Comparison

AVSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than IWN's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	0.92%	1.16%	1.17%	1.42%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	1.46%	1.70%	1.80%	2.04%	2.12%	1.48%	1.60%	1.92%	1.99%	1.78%	1.74%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSC and IWN in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVSC and IWN 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.

Which is riskier, AVSC or IWN?

IWN has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to AVSC (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSC dropped -28.40% vs IWN's -61.55%.

Which ETF is better, AVSC or IWN?

On 3-year performance, IWN leads with 17.66% vs 17.09% for AVSC. On fees, IWN is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, AVSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSC or IWN?

Over the 3-year period, IWN has performed better with a 17.66% return vs 17.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSC or IWN?

IWN is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSC or IWN?

IWN has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.92% for AVSC.

What is the main difference between AVSC and IWN?

AVSC tracks Russell 2000 Index, while IWN tracks Russell 2000 Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVSC and 0.24% for IWN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.16), 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.