IGRO vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGRO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index (Net), while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGRO returned 8.49%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGRO charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

IGRO vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) 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, IGRO achieves a 5.91% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, IGRO has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.49%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

IGRO

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 5.91%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 13.91%
• 3Y*: 15.21%
• 5Y*: 7.30%
• 10Y*: 8.49%

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)

IGRO vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGRO iShares International Dividend Growth ETF	5.91%	25.03%	7.78%	15.38%	-12.72%	9.94%	7.71%	26.13%	-14.86%	24.64%
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 IGRO and IWM is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2016	0.61

The correlation between IGRO and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

IGRO vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IGRO	IWM
Financial Services	32.0%	15.8%
Industrials	14.8%	17.1%
Healthcare	12.6%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	10.1%	2.1%
Technology	7.8%	19.5%
Utilities	7.3%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	7.8%
Basic Materials	3.6%	4.5%
Energy	2.6%	6.0%
Communication Services	1.9%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.6%	5.7%

Return for Risk

IGRO vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGRO

IGRO Risk / Return Rank: 30
IGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

IGRO vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) 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.

	IGRO	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	2.05	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	2.85	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.34	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	3.56	-2.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.22	12.64	-7.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGRO vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGRO 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

	IGRO	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	2.05	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.27	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.48	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.37	+0.16

Drawdowns

IGRO vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGRO drawdown since its inception was -36.25%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGRO and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGRO	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.25%	-59.05%	+22.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.00%	-11.03%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.13%	-27.50%	+16.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-31.91%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.25%	-41.13%	+4.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.75%	-1.49%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-10.77%	+5.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	3.10%	-0.43%

Volatility

IGRO vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) is 3.60%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that IGRO 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

	IGRO	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	5.75%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.38%	13.53%	-3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.46%	19.20%	-6.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	22.52%	-8.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	23.04%	-6.18%

IGRO vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGRO has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IGRO vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

IGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGRO iShares International Dividend Growth ETF	2.41%	2.51%	2.44%	2.79%	2.69%	2.27%	2.41%	2.65%	2.97%	2.43%	1.18%	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 IGRO and IWM in my portfolio?

IGRO and IWM have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGRO or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to IGRO (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGRO dropped -36.25% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, IGRO or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 8.49% for IGRO. On fees, IGRO is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IGRO has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGRO or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 8.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGRO or IWM?

IGRO is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

IGRO has the higher dividend yield at 2.41%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between IGRO and IWM?

IGRO is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IGRO tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index (Net), while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IGRO and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.12), 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.