DASCX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DASCX (Dean Small Cap Value Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - DASCX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dean Fund, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 10 years, DASCX returned 8.08%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DASCX charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

DASCX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dean Small Cap Value Fund (DASCX) 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, DASCX achieves a 14.31% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.69% return. Over the past 10 years, DASCX has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.08%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.08% annualized return.

DASCX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 14.31%
• 6M: 14.45%
• 1Y: 32.14%
• 3Y*: 8.89%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 8.08%

IWM

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 43.31%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 11.08%

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

DASCX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DASCX Dean Small Cap Value Fund	14.31%	5.00%	3.71%	2.76%	1.76%	31.48%	-1.73%	20.98%	-13.07%	3.72%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.69%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between DASCX and IWM is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2008	0.90

The correlation between DASCX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DASCX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

DASCX

DASCX Risk / Return Rank: 33
DASCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
DASCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
DASCX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
DASCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
DASCX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 69
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

DASCX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dean Small Cap Value Fund (DASCX) 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.

	DASCX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.27	-0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.12	-0.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	3.97	-1.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.47	14.12	-6.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DASCX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DASCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DASCX 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

	DASCX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.27	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.29	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.48	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.37	-0.02

Drawdowns

DASCX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DASCX drawdown since its inception was -58.74%, roughly equal to the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DASCX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DASCX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.74%	-59.05%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-11.03%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.79%	-27.50%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.79%	-31.91%	+7.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.28%	-41.13%	-5.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.13%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.42%	-10.77%	+3.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.98%	3.10%	+0.88%

Volatility

DASCX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dean Small Cap Value Fund (DASCX) is 4.36%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that DASCX 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

	DASCX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	5.56%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	13.52%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.77%	19.14%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	22.52%	-5.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	23.04%	-2.19%

DASCX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DASCX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

DASCX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

DASCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DASCX Dean Small Cap Value Fund	1.75%	1.99%	3.82%	1.75%	1.28%	0.98%	1.61%	4.03%	3.22%	18.27%	3.96%	6.68%
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

Can I hold both DASCX and IWM in my portfolio?

DASCX and IWM have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DASCX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to DASCX (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DASCX dropped -58.74% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.66), 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.