ISCV vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISCV (iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISCV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Value Extended Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ISCV returned 8.58%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISCV charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

ISCV vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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, ISCV achieves a 10.08% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCV has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.58%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

ISCV

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 10.27%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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)

ISCV vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISCV iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF	10.08%	10.38%	9.31%	16.55%	-10.58%	29.15%	0.86%	19.51%	-17.39%	8.59%
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 ISCV and IWM is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2004	0.93

The correlation between ISCV and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISCV vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISCV	IWM
Financial Services	21.1%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	7.8%
Industrials	12.1%	17.1%
Healthcare	11.1%	15.8%
Real Estate	11.0%	5.7%
Technology	8.9%	19.5%
Energy	7.2%	6.0%
Basic Materials	5.8%	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	2.1%
Utilities	3.6%	3.0%
Communication Services	1.8%	2.0%

Return for Risk

ISCV vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISCV

ISCV Risk / Return Rank: 54
ISCV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
ISCV Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ISCV Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ISCV Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ISCV Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

ISCV vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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.

	ISCV	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.05	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.85	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	3.56	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.55	12.64	-2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISCV vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCV Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCV 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

	ISCV	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.05	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.27	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.48	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.37	0.00

Drawdowns

ISCV vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCV drawdown since its inception was -63.14%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCV and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISCV	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.14%	-59.05%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-11.03%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.35%	-27.50%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-31.91%	+6.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.56%	-41.13%	-10.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-1.49%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.14%	-10.77%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	3.10%	-0.44%

Volatility

ISCV vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) is 3.80%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that ISCV 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

	ISCV	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	5.75%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	13.53%	-3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.28%	19.20%	-2.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	22.52%	-1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	23.04%	+0.26%

ISCV vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISCV has a 0.06% 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

ISCV vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

ISCV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCV iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF	1.88%	2.04%	2.01%	2.21%	2.12%	1.95%	2.01%	2.36%	2.48%	1.74%	2.49%	2.60%
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 ISCV and IWM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ISCV and IWM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ISCV or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to ISCV (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCV dropped -63.14% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, ISCV or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 8.58% for ISCV. On fees, ISCV is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISCV has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISCV or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 8.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISCV or IWM?

ISCV is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

ISCV has the higher dividend yield at 1.88%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between ISCV and IWM?

ISCV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. ISCV tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Value Extended Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for ISCV and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.73), 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.