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EWUS vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EWUS vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EWUS (iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWUS is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWUS returned 4.97%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for IWM. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWUS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

EWUS vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) 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, EWUS achieves a -0.31% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.47% return. Over the past 10 years, EWUS has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 4.97%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.58% annualized return.

EWUS

1D
-1.53%
1M
-3.03%
YTD
-0.31%
6M
0.01%
1Y
5.85%
3Y*
12.78%
5Y*
0.40%
10Y*
4.97%

IWM

1D
-0.96%
1M
3.82%
YTD
20.47%
6M
17.64%
1Y
40.90%
3Y*
19.22%
5Y*
6.27%
10Y*
11.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EWUS vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EWUS
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF		-0.31%25.13%3.55%15.41%-31.19%12.55%-2.58%35.16%-20.16%32.17%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		20.47%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between EWUS and IWM is 0.65, 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

0.65

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

0.65

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

0.66

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

0.59

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2012

0.55

The correlation between EWUS and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWUS vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EWUS
IWM

Financial Services

23.1%
15.5%

Industrials

20.4%
17.3%

Consumer Cyclical

18.0%
8.0%

Real Estate

8.4%
5.5%

Communication Services

6.8%
1.7%

Basic Materials

6.3%
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
2.0%

Technology

3.9%
20.1%

Energy

3.3%
6.0%

Healthcare

3.1%
15.6%

Utilities

2.8%
3.1%

Financial Services

EWUS
23.1%
IWM
15.5%

Industrials

EWUS
20.4%
IWM
17.3%

Consumer Cyclical

EWUS
18.0%
IWM
8.0%

Real Estate

EWUS
8.4%
IWM
5.5%

Communication Services

EWUS
6.8%
IWM
1.7%

Basic Materials

EWUS
6.3%
IWM
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

EWUS
3.9%
IWM
2.0%

Technology

EWUS
3.9%
IWM
20.1%

Energy

EWUS
3.3%
IWM
6.0%

Healthcare

EWUS
3.1%
IWM
15.6%

Utilities

EWUS
2.8%
IWM
3.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with EWUS:
EWUS vs. EWUEWUS vs. HSCZEWUS vs. SCJEWUS vs. EWZSEWUS vs. SCZEWUS vs. SMINEWUS vs. QQQ
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. TNA

Return for Risk

EWUS vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EWUS
EWUS Risk / Return Rank: 1313
Overall Rank
EWUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWUS Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
EWUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 1313
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWUS Martin Ratio Rank: 1414
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
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.

EWUS vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) 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.

EWUSIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.33
2.08

-1.76

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.61
2.86

-2.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.34

-0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.39

3.73

-3.34

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.22

13.18

-11.96

EWUS vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWUS Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWUS 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

EWUS vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWUS drawdown since its inception was -49.33%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWUS and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

EWUSIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.33%

-59.05%

+9.72%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.21%

-11.03%

-4.18%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.84%

-27.50%

+7.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.14%

-31.91%

-16.23%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-49.33%

-41.13%

-8.20%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.35%

-0.96%

-6.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.05%

-10.75%

-2.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.82%

3.11%

+1.71%

Volatility

EWUS vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) is 4.96%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.56%. This indicates that EWUS 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

EWUSIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.96%

6.56%

-1.60%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.97%

14.31%

+0.66%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.14%

19.74%

-1.60%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.17%

22.61%

-1.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.92%

23.06%

-1.14%

EWUS vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWUS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWUS vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

EWUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWUS
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF		3.30%3.59%3.67%2.88%2.03%3.54%1.97%2.59%3.53%2.61%3.18%2.85%
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

EWUS and IWM have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IWM has higher volatility (6.56%) compared to EWUS (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWUS dropped -49.33% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 11.58% vs 4.97% for EWUS. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, EWUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 11.58% return vs 4.97%. 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 0.59% for EWUS.

EWUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.

EWUS is categorized as Europe Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. EWUS tracks MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWUS and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.33), 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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