EPMV vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EPMV (Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. EPMV is actively managed, while IWS is passively managed. Over the past year, EPMV returned 29.98% vs 27.01% for IWS. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EPMV charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

EPMV vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPMV achieves a 18.43% return, which is significantly higher than IWS's 15.06% return.

EPMV

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 6.82%
• YTD: 18.43%
• 6M: 19.33%
• 1Y: 29.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 15.13%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

EPMV vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	18.43%	13.68%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	15.06%	14.25%

Correlation

The correlation between EPMV and IWS is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2025	0.94

The correlation between EPMV and IWS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPMV vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPMV	IWS
Industrials	21.7%	16.7%
Technology	18.7%	16.5%
Financial Services	18.1%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	8.4%
Basic Materials	6.7%	5.4%
Healthcare	6.7%	7.3%
Real Estate	6.4%	8.6%
Energy	5.0%	8.1%
Utilities	3.0%	7.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	4.8%
Communication Services	-	3.1%

Return for Risk

EPMV vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPMV

EPMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
EPMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
EPMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
EPMV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
EPMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
EPMV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 58
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

EPMV vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). 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.

	EPMV	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.06	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.95	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.36	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	3.60	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	13.59	-2.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EPMV vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPMV and IWS, 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

	EPMV	IWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.06	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.05	0.42	+1.63

Drawdowns

EPMV vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPMV drawdown since its inception was -8.78%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPMV and IWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPMV	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-62.40%	+53.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-7.53%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.04%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-8.02%	+6.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.99%	+0.67%

Volatility

EPMV vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 3.40%. This indicates that EPMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPMV	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	3.40%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	9.57%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.19%	13.19%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	17.30%	-1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.48%	19.36%	-3.88%

EPMV vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPMV has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPMV vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

EPMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than IWS's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	1.25%	1.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.34%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPMV and IWS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, EPMV and IWS 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, EPMV or IWS?

EPMV has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to IWS (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPMV dropped -8.78% vs IWS's -62.40%.

Which ETF is better, EPMV or IWS?

On 1-year performance, EPMV leads with 29.98% vs 27.01% for IWS. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPMV or IWS?

Over the 1-year period, EPMV has performed better with a 29.98% return vs 27.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPMV or IWS?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPMV or IWS?

IWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 1.25% for EPMV.

What is the main difference between EPMV and IWS?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPMV and 0.23% for IWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.99), 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.