IWM vs. AVSC
IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) and AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. IWM is passively managed, while AVSC is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IWM returned 16.79%/yr vs 17.15%/yr for AVSC. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IWM charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVSC.
Performance
IWM vs. AVSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IWM achieves a 20.14% return, which is significantly lower than AVSC's 23.99% return.
IWM
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 13.16%
- YTD
- 20.14%
- 1Y
- 33.33%
- 3Y*
- 16.79%
- 5Y*
- 7.57%
- 10Y*
- 10.80%
AVSC
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- 6M
- 17.32%
- YTD
- 23.99%
- 1Y
- 36.17%
- 3Y*
- 17.15%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IWM vs. AVSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 20.14% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -18.11% |
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 23.99% | 9.42% | 7.75% | 19.68% | -12.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between IWM and AVSC is 0.93, 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2022 | 0.96 |
The correlation between IWM and AVSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IWM vs. AVSC — Risk / Return Rank
IWM
AVSC
IWM vs. AVSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC). 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.
| IWM | AVSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.35 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.04 | 4.60 | -1.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.73 | 14.49 | -3.75 |
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Drawdowns
IWM vs. AVSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IWM drawdown since its inception was -59.05%, which is greater than AVSC's maximum drawdown of -28.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWM and AVSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IWM | AVSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.05% | -28.40% | -30.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.03% | -7.89% | -3.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.50% | -28.40% | +0.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.91% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.13% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.98% | -1.15% | -0.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.73% | -7.27% | -3.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.12% | 2.51% | +0.61% |
Volatility
IWM vs. AVSC - Volatility Comparison
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) at 3.58%. This indicates that IWM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IWM | AVSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.88% | 3.58% | +0.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.18% | 11.90% | +2.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.50% | 17.83% | +1.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.55% | 22.18% | +0.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.00% | 22.18% | +0.82% |
IWM vs. AVSC - Expense Ratio Comparison
IWM has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than AVSC's 0.25% 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
IWM vs. AVSC - Dividend Comparison
IWM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than AVSC's 0.93% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 0.93% | 1.16% | 1.17% | 1.42% | 1.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
With a correlation of 0.93, IWM and AVSC 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.
IWM has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to AVSC (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWM dropped -59.05% vs AVSC's -28.40%.
On 3-year performance, AVSC leads with 17.15% vs 16.79% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, AVSC has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, AVSC has performed better with a 17.15% return vs 16.79%. 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 0.25% for AVSC.
AVSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis Investors. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWM and 0.25% for AVSC.
AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.72), 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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