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AVUV vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AVUV vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. AVUV is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.36%/yr vs 5.88%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

AVUV vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 21.56% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 18.19% return.

AVUV

1D
1.94%
1M
4.52%
YTD
21.56%
6M
17.10%
1Y
38.46%
3Y*
19.38%
5Y*
11.36%
10Y*
—

IWM

1D
2.96%
1M
2.77%
YTD
18.19%
6M
13.23%
1Y
37.41%
3Y*
17.34%
5Y*
5.88%
10Y*
11.14%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVUV vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		21.56%7.44%9.28%22.82%-4.91%42.20%6.43%8.54%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		18.19%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%7.90%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and IWM 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 (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.87

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.92

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019

0.92

The correlation between AVUV and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUV vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AVUV
IWM

Financial Services

25.8%
15.6%

Energy

18.2%
5.8%

Consumer Cyclical

18.0%
7.9%

Industrials

13.9%
17.2%

Technology

7.0%
19.5%

Basic Materials

4.9%
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.5%
2.1%

Healthcare

4.2%
16.1%

Communication Services

2.8%
2.1%

Real Estate

0.7%
5.6%

Utilities

0.1%
3.0%

Financial Services

AVUV
25.8%
IWM
15.6%

Energy

AVUV
18.2%
IWM
5.8%

Consumer Cyclical

AVUV
18.0%
IWM
7.9%

Industrials

AVUV
13.9%
IWM
17.2%

Technology

AVUV
7.0%
IWM
19.5%

Basic Materials

AVUV
4.9%
IWM
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

AVUV
4.5%
IWM
2.1%

Healthcare

AVUV
4.2%
IWM
16.1%

Communication Services

AVUV
2.8%
IWM
2.1%

Real Estate

AVUV
0.7%
IWM
5.6%

Utilities

AVUV
0.1%
IWM
3.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with AVUV:
AVUV vs. VBRAVUV vs. VTIAVUV vs. IJRAVUV vs. DFSVAVUV vs. VIOVAVUV vs. AVUVXAVUV vs. AVDVX
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWOIWM vs. TNA

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AVUV
AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

AVUV vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) 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.

AVUVIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.19
1.91

+0.29

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.13
2.65

+0.49

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.31

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.86

3.41

+1.45

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.46

12.04

+2.42

AVUV vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV 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.

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Drawdowns

AVUV vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

AVUVIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.42%

-59.05%

+9.63%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.95%

-11.03%

+3.08%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.79%

-27.50%

-1.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.79%

-31.91%

+3.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-41.13%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.55%

+0.55%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.92%

-10.76%

+2.84%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.67%

3.12%

-0.45%

Volatility

AVUV vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is 4.52%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that AVUV 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.

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Volatility by Period

AVUVIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.52%

7.12%

-2.60%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.52%

14.32%

-2.80%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.61%

19.72%

-2.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.75%

22.61%

+0.14%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

28.26%

23.08%

+5.18%

AVUV vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV 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

AVUV vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		1.62%1.58%1.61%1.65%1.74%1.28%1.21%0.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
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

AVUV and IWM 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.

IWM has higher volatility (7.12%) compared to AVUV (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 11.36% vs 5.88% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 11.36% return vs 5.88%. 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 AVUV.

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 0.87% for IWM.

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVUV and 0.19% for IWM.

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.91), 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.

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