FOVL vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FOVL (iShares Focused Value Factor ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds from iShares - FOVL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index while IWS tracks the Russell Midcap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FOVL charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

FOVL vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

FOVL

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWS

• 1D: -1.08%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: 15.78%
• 6M: 14.47%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: 10.56%

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

FOVL vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.00%	6.43%	22.87%	17.72%	-9.39%	40.14%	-13.20%	7.00%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	15.78%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	11.95%

Correlation

The correlation between FOVL and IWS is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2019	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between FOVL and IWS has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FOVL vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FOVL	IWS
Financial Services	44.6%	13.7%
Industrials	12.8%	16.2%
Energy	7.7%	7.4%
Utilities	7.5%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.7%
Technology	5.0%	18.7%
Healthcare	4.9%	7.6%
Communication Services	4.7%	3.1%
Real Estate	2.6%	8.3%
Basic Materials	-	5.3%

Return for Risk

FOVL vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FOVL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 67
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

FOVL vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Focused Value Factor ETF (FOVL) 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.

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.

	FOVL	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.98	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.83	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.57	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	13.39	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	FOVL	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-62.40%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.53%	—
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	—	-1.24%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-8.00%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FOVL	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.37%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.12%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	13.57%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.33%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	19.35%	—

FOVL vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FOVL has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% 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

FOVL vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

FOVL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.00%	1.36%	2.08%	2.59%	3.38%	2.80%	2.88%	2.09%	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 FOVL and IWS in my portfolio?

FOVL and IWS have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FOVL or IWS?

On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FOVL or IWS?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FOVL.

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

IWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 0.00% for FOVL.

What is the main difference between FOVL and IWS?

FOVL tracks MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index, while IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FOVL and 0.23% for IWS.