EES vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - EES tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index while IWC tracks the Russell Microcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EES returned 10.68%/yr vs 11.35%/yr for IWC. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

EES vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) 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, EES achieves a 12.00% return, which is significantly lower than IWC's 18.97% return. Over the past 10 years, EES has underperformed IWC with an annualized return of 10.68%, while IWC has yielded a comparatively higher 11.35% annualized return.

EES

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 6M: 11.97%
• 1Y: 29.80%
• 3Y*: 15.30%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: 10.68%

IWC

• 1D: -2.09%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 18.63%
• 1Y: 55.24%
• 3Y*: 21.73%
• 5Y*: 5.45%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

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

EES vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	12.00%	6.99%	9.86%	18.53%	-16.18%	34.39%	3.06%	21.68%	-10.12%	12.42%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	18.97%	22.45%	13.63%	8.99%	-21.93%	18.67%	20.88%	22.20%	-13.13%	12.79%

Correlation

The correlation between EES and IWC is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2007	0.90

The correlation between EES and IWC shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EES vs. IWC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EES	IWC
Financial Services	21.8%	18.1%
Technology	14.2%	18.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	5.3%
Industrials	12.5%	13.3%
Healthcare	10.3%	28.1%
Energy	7.9%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	1.9%
Basic Materials	4.9%	4.4%
Real Estate	4.8%	3.5%
Communication Services	3.1%	1.8%
Utilities	1.7%	0.6%

Return for Risk

EES vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EES

EES Risk / Return Rank: 57
EES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
EES Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
EES Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EES Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
EES Martin Ratio Rank: 62

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 71
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

EES vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) 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.

	EES	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.36	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.10	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	4.47	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	14.76	-3.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EES vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EES Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EES 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

	EES	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.36	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.22	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.47	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.31	+0.03

Drawdowns

EES vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EES drawdown since its inception was -63.66%, roughly equal to the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EES and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EES	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.66%	-64.61%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.98%	-12.43%	+4.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.15%	-29.46%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.15%	-40.68%	+13.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.52%	-47.21%	-3.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-2.90%	+1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-15.28%	+4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	3.75%	-1.05%

Volatility

EES vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) is 4.03%, while iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) has a volatility of 7.29%. This indicates that EES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EES	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	7.29%	-3.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	17.26%	-5.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	23.63%	-6.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	24.42%	-2.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	24.42%	-0.62%

EES vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

EES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

EES vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

EES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than IWC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	1.12%	1.29%	1.37%	1.18%	1.12%	1.69%	1.29%	1.31%	1.81%	0.93%	1.02%	1.38%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.91%	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 EES and IWC in my portfolio?

EES and IWC have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EES or IWC?

IWC has higher volatility (7.29%) compared to EES (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EES dropped -63.66% vs IWC's -64.61%.

Which ETF is better, EES or IWC?

On 10-year performance, IWC leads with 11.35% vs 10.68% for EES. On fees, EES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, EES has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EES or IWC?

Over the 10-year period, IWC has performed better with a 11.35% return vs 10.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EES or IWC?

EES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IWC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EES or IWC?

EES has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.91% for IWC.

What is the main difference between EES and IWC?

EES tracks WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index, while IWC tracks Russell Microcap Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for EES and 0.60% for IWC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.72), 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.