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DSI vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DSI vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

DSI (iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DSI is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DSI returned 15.48%/yr vs 11.63%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DSI charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

DSI vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI) 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, DSI achieves a 8.29% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 21.03% return. Over the past 10 years, DSI has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 15.48%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.63% annualized return.

DSI

1D
-0.17%
1M
-1.49%
YTD
8.29%
6M
6.90%
1Y
23.00%
3Y*
20.30%
5Y*
12.23%
10Y*
15.48%

IWM

1D
0.46%
1M
4.31%
YTD
21.03%
6M
17.89%
1Y
39.77%
3Y*
19.40%
5Y*
6.33%
10Y*
11.63%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DSI vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DSI
iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF		8.29%18.03%22.38%28.51%-21.71%31.32%20.94%31.15%-3.90%20.89%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		21.03%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between DSI and IWM is 0.76, 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

0.76

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

0.75

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

0.80

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2006

0.81

The correlation between DSI and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

DSI vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DSI
IWM

Technology

43.1%
20.1%

Communication Services

12.8%
1.7%

Financial Services

10.1%
15.5%

Industrials

8.0%
17.3%

Consumer Cyclical

8.0%
8.0%

Healthcare

7.0%
15.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.0%
2.0%

Real Estate

2.6%
5.5%

Basic Materials

2.2%
4.5%

Energy

1.5%
6.0%

Utilities

0.9%
3.1%

Technology

DSI
43.1%
IWM
20.1%

Communication Services

DSI
12.8%
IWM
1.7%

Financial Services

DSI
10.1%
IWM
15.5%

Industrials

DSI
8.0%
IWM
17.3%

Consumer Cyclical

DSI
8.0%
IWM
8.0%

Healthcare

DSI
7.0%
IWM
15.6%

Consumer Defensive

DSI
4.0%
IWM
2.0%

Real Estate

DSI
2.6%
IWM
5.5%

Basic Materials

DSI
2.2%
IWM
4.5%

Energy

DSI
1.5%
IWM
6.0%

Utilities

DSI
0.9%
IWM
3.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with DSI:
DSI vs. SPYDSI vs. VOODSI vs. FSLEXDSI vs. VTIDSI vs. XSUS.TODSI vs. QQQDSI vs. SPYG
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. TNA

Return for Risk

DSI vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DSI
DSI Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
DSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
DSI Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
DSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4747
Calmar Ratio Rank
DSI Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
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.

DSI vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI) 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.

DSIIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.69
2.03

-0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.32
2.80

-0.48

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.33

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.09

3.62

-1.53

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.57

12.82

-4.25

DSI vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSI 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

DSI vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSI drawdown since its inception was -54.23%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSI and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

DSIIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.23%

-59.05%

+4.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.05%

-11.03%

-0.02%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.58%

-27.50%

+6.92%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.36%

-31.91%

+3.55%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.10%

-41.13%

+7.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.66%

-0.50%

-3.16%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.51%

-10.74%

+3.23%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.69%

3.11%

-0.42%

Volatility

DSI vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (DSI) is 5.58%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.52%. This indicates that DSI 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

DSIIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.58%

6.52%

-0.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.04%

14.30%

-3.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.76%

19.71%

-5.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.04%

22.60%

-4.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.73%

23.06%

-4.33%

DSI vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSI 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

DSI vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

DSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than IWM's 0.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DSI
iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF		0.89%0.92%1.03%1.19%1.39%0.99%1.22%1.40%1.63%1.28%1.51%1.46%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.90%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

DSI and IWM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IWM has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to DSI (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSI dropped -54.23% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, DSI leads with 15.48% vs 11.63% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, DSI has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DSI has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 11.63%. 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 DSI.

DSI and IWM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.89%.

DSI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. DSI tracks MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for DSI and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.69), 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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