ESGE vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGE (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGE returned 6.83%/yr vs 6.11%/yr for IWM. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESGE charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

ESGE vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) 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, ESGE achieves a 26.85% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 17.07% return.

ESGE

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 9.37%
• YTD: 26.85%
• 6M: 29.21%
• 1Y: 55.02%
• 3Y*: 24.13%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

ESGE vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	26.85%	35.86%	6.63%	9.51%	-22.41%	-2.87%	18.60%	20.37%	-15.24%	38.86%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGE and IWM is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2016	0.59

The correlation between ESGE and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGE vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGE	IWM
Technology	43.4%	19.5%
Financial Services	20.9%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	7.8%
Communication Services	7.2%	2.0%
Industrials	4.7%	17.1%
Basic Materials	4.1%	4.5%
Healthcare	2.4%	15.8%
Energy	2.2%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	2.1%
Utilities	1.5%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.1%	5.7%

Return for Risk

ESGE vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGE

ESGE Risk / Return Rank: 80
ESGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ESGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
ESGE Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ESGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
ESGE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

ESGE vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) 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.

	ESGE	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	2.05	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	2.85	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.34	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	3.56	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.51	12.64	+2.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGE vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGE Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is higher than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGE 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

	ESGE	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	2.05	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.27	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.37	+0.13

Drawdowns

ESGE vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGE drawdown since its inception was -41.07%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGE and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGE	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.07%	-59.05%	+17.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-11.03%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-27.50%	+10.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.23%	-31.91%	-7.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-1.49%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.47%	-10.77%	-3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	3.10%	+0.46%

Volatility

ESGE vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) has a higher volatility of 8.56% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 5.75%. This indicates that ESGE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGE	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.56%	5.75%	+2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.46%	13.53%	+3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.10%	19.20%	+0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.11%	22.52%	-3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.94%	23.04%	-3.10%

ESGE vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGE 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

ESGE vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

ESGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	1.97%	2.50%	2.41%	2.64%	2.68%	2.66%	1.31%	2.59%	2.19%	1.86%	0.27%	0.00%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	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 ESGE and IWM in my portfolio?

ESGE and IWM have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGE or IWM?

ESGE has higher volatility (8.56%) compared to IWM (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGE dropped -41.07% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, ESGE or IWM?

On 5-year performance, ESGE leads with 6.83% vs 6.11% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 5.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGE or IWM?

Over the 5-year period, ESGE has performed better with a 6.83% return vs 6.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGE or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for ESGE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGE or IWM?

ESGE has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between ESGE and IWM?

ESGE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. ESGE tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for ESGE and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.05), 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.