DMCRX vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DMCRX (Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both funds - DMCRX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Driehaus, while IWC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell Microcap Index. Over the past 10 years, DMCRX returned 22.49%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for IWC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DMCRX charges 1.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

DMCRX vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund (DMCRX) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMCRX achieves a 25.20% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 21.51% return. Over the past 10 years, DMCRX has outperformed IWC with an annualized return of 22.49%, while IWC has yielded a comparatively lower 11.58% annualized return.

DMCRX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 25.20%
• 6M: 31.61%
• 1Y: 81.24%
• 3Y*: 30.42%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: 22.49%

IWC

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 21.51%
• 6M: 25.02%
• 1Y: 61.79%
• 3Y*: 22.59%
• 5Y*: 5.97%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

DMCRX vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DMCRX Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund	25.20%	31.17%	30.58%	11.47%	-33.54%	22.23%	86.43%	34.03%	2.52%	24.35%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	21.51%	22.45%	13.63%	8.99%	-21.93%	18.67%	20.88%	22.20%	-13.13%	12.79%

Correlation

The correlation between DMCRX and IWC is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2013	0.88

The correlation between DMCRX and IWC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DMCRX vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMCRX

DMCRX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DMCRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DMCRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DMCRX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DMCRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
DMCRX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 78
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 67
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
IWC 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.

DMCRX vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund (DMCRX) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). 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.

	DMCRX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	2.64	+0.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.41	+0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.41	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.29	4.97	+0.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.84	16.48	+2.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMCRX vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMCRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is comparable to the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMCRX and IWC, 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

	DMCRX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.97	2.64	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.25	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.48	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.32	+0.27

Drawdowns

DMCRX vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMCRX drawdown since its inception was -59.16%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMCRX and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMCRX	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.16%	-64.61%	+5.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.46%	-12.43%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.92%	-29.46%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.16%	-40.68%	-18.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.16%	-47.21%	-11.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-0.83%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.11%	-15.28%	-4.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.34%	3.75%	+0.59%

Volatility

DMCRX vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund (DMCRX) has a higher volatility of 8.30% compared to iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) at 6.90%. This indicates that DMCRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMCRX	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.30%	6.90%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.11%	17.20%	+3.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.52%	23.52%	+5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.48%	24.40%	+15.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.98%	24.42%	+9.56%

DMCRX vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMCRX has a 1.38% expense ratio, which is higher than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

DMCRX vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

DMCRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.96%, more than IWC's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMCRX Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund	10.96%	13.72%	3.86%	0.87%	8.20%	48.23%	19.79%	14.70%	33.22%	8.91%	0.00%	4.20%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.89%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMCRX and IWC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, DMCRX and IWC 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, DMCRX or IWC?

DMCRX has higher volatility (8.30%) compared to IWC (6.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMCRX dropped -59.16% vs IWC's -64.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMCRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.64), 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.