FAMEX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FAMEX (FAM Dividend Focus Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - FAMEX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by FAM, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 10 years, FAMEX returned 10.34%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAMEX charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

FAMEX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FAM Dividend Focus Fund (FAMEX) 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, FAMEX achieves a -1.27% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.69% return. Over the past 10 years, FAMEX has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 10.34%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.08% annualized return.

FAMEX

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -1.54%
• YTD: -1.27%
• 6M: -1.00%
• 1Y: -6.00%
• 3Y*: 7.67%
• 5Y*: 4.54%
• 10Y*: 10.34%

IWM

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 43.31%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 11.08%

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

FAMEX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAMEX FAM Dividend Focus Fund	-1.27%	1.91%	7.56%	19.70%	-13.40%	25.61%	13.19%	32.56%	0.06%	12.64%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.69%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between FAMEX and IWM is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2000	0.85

The correlation between FAMEX and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FAMEX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAMEX

FAMEX Risk / Return Rank: 1
FAMEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
FAMEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FAMEX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
FAMEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FAMEX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 69
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

FAMEX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FAM Dividend Focus Fund (FAMEX) 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.

	FAMEX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.48	2.27	-2.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.60	3.12	-3.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.37	-0.44
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.44	3.97	-4.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	14.12	-15.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAMEX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAMEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.48, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAMEX 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

	FAMEX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.48	2.27	-2.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.29	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.48	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.15

Drawdowns

FAMEX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAMEX drawdown since its inception was -54.68%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAMEX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAMEX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.68%	-59.05%	+4.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.83%	-11.03%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.36%	-27.50%	+12.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.10%	-31.91%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.96%	-41.13%	+5.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.14%	-0.13%	-9.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.80%	-10.77%	+3.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.47%	3.10%	+3.37%

Volatility

FAMEX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FAM Dividend Focus Fund (FAMEX) is 3.91%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that FAMEX 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.

Volatility by Period

	FAMEX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	5.56%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.01%	13.52%	-3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.97%	19.14%	-6.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.66%	22.52%	-5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	23.04%	-5.12%

FAMEX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAMEX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAMEX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

FAMEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.79%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAMEX FAM Dividend Focus Fund	3.79%	3.74%	3.34%	0.67%	1.36%	1.36%	2.18%	2.97%	1.35%	0.70%	8.80%	5.19%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.87%	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 FAMEX and IWM in my portfolio?

FAMEX and IWM have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAMEX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to FAMEX (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAMEX dropped -54.68% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs -0.48), 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.