BSMIX vs. IWM
BSMIX (iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BSMIX returned 11.77%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BSMIX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
BSMIX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSMIX achieves a 19.06% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, BSMIX has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 11.77%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.93% annualized return.
BSMIX
- 1D
- 0.93%
- 1M
- 5.13%
- YTD
- 19.06%
- 6M
- 18.96%
- 1Y
- 36.89%
- 3Y*
- 18.79%
- 5Y*
- 7.82%
- 10Y*
- 11.77%
IWM
- 1D
- -1.37%
- 1M
- 3.52%
- YTD
- 17.07%
- 6M
- 15.83%
- 1Y
- 39.10%
- 3Y*
- 17.88%
- 5Y*
- 6.11%
- 10Y*
- 10.93%
BSMIX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSMIX iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund | 19.06% | 11.92% | 12.04% | 17.15% | -18.39% | 18.00% | 20.28% | 27.62% | -10.22% | 16.75% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 17.07% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSMIX and IWM is 0.98 - 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 | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016 | 0.98 |
The correlation between BSMIX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BSMIX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
BSMIX
IWM
BSMIX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (BSMIX) 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.
| BSMIX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.34 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.15 | 3.56 | +0.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.76 | 12.64 | +3.12 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BSMIX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.26 | 2.05 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 | 0.27 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | 0.48 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.56 | 0.37 | +0.19 |
Drawdowns
BSMIX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSMIX drawdown since its inception was -41.32%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSMIX and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSMIX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.32% | -59.05% | +17.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.39% | -11.03% | +1.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.49% | -27.50% | +2.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.33% | -31.91% | +3.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.32% | -41.13% | -0.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.49% | +1.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.41% | -10.77% | +3.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.47% | 3.10% | -0.63% |
Volatility
BSMIX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (BSMIX) is 5.13%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that BSMIX 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
| BSMIX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.13% | 5.75% | -0.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.67% | 13.53% | -0.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.21% | 19.20% | -1.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.18% | 22.52% | -1.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.71% | 23.04% | -1.33% |
BSMIX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSMIX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BSMIX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
BSMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSMIX iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund | 2.43% | 2.90% | 2.04% | 1.37% | 4.94% | 4.77% | 4.42% | 2.83% | 4.33% | 2.83% | 1.45% | 0.00% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.88% | 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 0.98, BSMIX 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 (5.75%) compared to BSMIX (5.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSMIX dropped -41.32% vs IWM's -59.05%.
BSMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.05), 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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