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IWM vs. AVUV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IWM vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. IWM is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IWM returned 6.46%/yr vs 12.19%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWM charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

IWM vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWM achieves a 19.15% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 20.78% return.

IWM

1D
-0.87%
1M
5.47%
YTD
19.15%
6M
17.37%
1Y
40.02%
3Y*
17.62%
5Y*
6.46%
10Y*
11.31%

AVUV

1D
-0.63%
1M
4.78%
YTD
20.78%
6M
18.98%
1Y
38.38%
3Y*
18.97%
5Y*
12.19%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IWM vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		19.15%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%7.90%
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		20.78%7.44%9.28%22.82%-4.91%42.20%6.43%8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between IWM and AVUV is 0.86, 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

0.86

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.92

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019

0.91

The correlation between IWM and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWM vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IWM
AVUV

Technology

19.2%
7.4%

Industrials

17.9%
13.6%

Healthcare

16.3%
4.8%

Financial Services

15.4%
26.1%

Consumer Cyclical

7.9%
18.7%

Real Estate

5.9%
0.7%

Energy

5.4%
15.8%

Basic Materials

4.7%
5.1%

Utilities

2.7%
0.1%

Communication Services

2.5%
3.1%

Consumer Defensive

2.2%
4.7%

Technology

IWM
19.2%
AVUV
7.4%

Industrials

IWM
17.9%
AVUV
13.6%

Healthcare

IWM
16.3%
AVUV
4.8%

Financial Services

IWM
15.4%
AVUV
26.1%

Consumer Cyclical

IWM
7.9%
AVUV
18.7%

Real Estate

IWM
5.9%
AVUV
0.7%

Energy

IWM
5.4%
AVUV
15.8%

Basic Materials

IWM
4.7%
AVUV
5.1%

Utilities

IWM
2.7%
AVUV
0.1%

Communication Services

IWM
2.5%
AVUV
3.1%

Consumer Defensive

IWM
2.2%
AVUV
4.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF

Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. TNAIWM vs. IWO
Often compared with AVUV:
AVUV vs. VBRAVUV vs. VTIAVUV vs. IJRAVUV vs. DFSVAVUV vs. VIOVAVUV vs. AVUVXAVUV vs. AVUS

Return for Risk

IWM vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
AVUV
AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IWM vs. AVUV - 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 Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

IWMAVUVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.05
2.19

-0.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.82
3.14

-0.32

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.38

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.65

4.85

-1.20

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.91

14.44

-1.54

IWM vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWM Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWM and AVUV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IWM vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWM drawdown since its inception was -59.05%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWM and AVUV.

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Drawdown Indicators

IWMAVUVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-59.05%

-49.42%

-9.63%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.03%

-7.95%

-3.08%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.50%

-28.79%

+1.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-31.91%

-28.79%

-3.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.13%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.87%

-1.58%

+0.71%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.75%

-7.91%

-2.84%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.11%

2.67%

+0.44%

Volatility

IWM vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a higher volatility of 6.73% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.48%. This indicates that IWM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IWMAVUVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.73%

4.48%

+2.25%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.21%

11.33%

+2.88%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.66%

17.60%

+2.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.62%

22.75%

-0.13%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.09%

28.24%

-5.15%

IWM vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWM has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than AVUV'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. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

IWM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than AVUV's 1.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		1.63%1.58%1.61%1.65%1.74%1.28%1.21%0.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.91%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

IWM and AVUV have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IWM has higher volatility (6.73%) compared to AVUV (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWM dropped -59.05% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 12.19% vs 6.46% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 12.19% return vs 6.46%. 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 AVUV.

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 0.91% for IWM.

IWM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWM and 0.25% for AVUV.

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.05), 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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