CSB vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CSB (VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - CSB tracks the Nasdaq Victory U.S. Small Cap High Dividend 100 Volatility Weighted Index while IWM tracks the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CSB returned 9.58%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CSB charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

CSB vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) 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, CSB achieves a 8.30% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, CSB has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 9.58%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

CSB

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -1.58%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 11.48%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

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%

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

CSB vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSB VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF	8.30%	2.26%	9.64%	12.60%	-13.11%	27.04%	11.30%	21.12%	-7.10%	11.32%
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 CSB and IWM is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2015	0.82

The correlation between CSB and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CSB vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CSB	IWM
Financial Services	26.5%	15.8%
Utilities	22.0%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	19.0%	7.8%
Energy	11.5%	6.0%
Industrials	8.5%	17.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	2.1%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.0%
Basic Materials	3.4%	4.5%
Technology	1.2%	19.5%
Healthcare	0.4%	15.8%
Real Estate	-	5.7%

Return for Risk

CSB vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSB

CSB Risk / Return Rank: 40
CSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
CSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CSB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
CSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
CSB Martin Ratio Rank: 44

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

CSB vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) 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.

	CSB	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.05	-0.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	2.85	-0.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.34	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.56	-1.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.26	12.64	-5.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSB vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSB 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

	CSB	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.05	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.27	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.48	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.37	+0.08

Drawdowns

CSB vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSB drawdown since its inception was -42.07%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSB and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSB	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.07%	-59.05%	+16.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-11.03%	+3.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.82%	-27.50%	+5.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.49%	-31.91%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.07%	-41.13%	-0.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.12%	-1.49%	-1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-10.77%	+3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	3.10%	-0.62%

Volatility

CSB vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF (CSB) is 3.59%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that CSB 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

	CSB	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	5.75%	-2.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	13.53%	-4.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.54%	19.20%	-4.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	22.52%	-3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.31%	23.04%	-1.73%

CSB vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSB vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

CSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSB VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatility Wtd ETF	3.26%	3.54%	3.12%	3.45%	3.60%	3.11%	3.70%	3.19%	3.45%	3.19%	2.85%	1.57%
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

Can I hold both CSB and IWM in my portfolio?

CSB and IWM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSB or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to CSB (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSB dropped -42.07% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, CSB or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 9.58% for CSB. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, CSB has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CSB or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 9.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CSB or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for CSB.

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

CSB has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between CSB and IWM?

CSB tracks Nasdaq Victory U.S. Small Cap High Dividend 100 Volatility Weighted Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Crestview and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for CSB and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.25), 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.