IWM vs. IWD

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) and IWD (iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while IWD is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWM returned 10.65%/yr vs 11.18%/yr for IWD. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWM charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IWD.

Performance

IWM vs. IWD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWM achieves a 19.24% return, which is significantly higher than IWD's 18.23% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IWM having a 10.65% annualized return and IWD not far ahead at 11.18%.

IWM

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: 10.45%
• YTD: 19.24%
• 1Y: 32.84%
• 3Y*: 15.91%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 10.65%
• ALL TIME*: 8.76%

IWD

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 1.97%
• 6M: 13.56%
• YTD: 18.23%
• 1Y: 28.14%
• 3Y*: 17.15%
• 5Y*: 11.38%
• 10Y*: 11.18%
• ALL TIME*: 8.22%

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

IWM vs. IWD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	19.24%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF	18.23%	15.68%	14.17%	11.34%	-7.75%	24.95%	2.73%	26.12%	-8.45%	13.45%

Correlation

The correlation between IWM and IWD is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000	0.84

The correlation between IWM and IWD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWM vs. IWD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWM	IWD
Healthcare	20.5%	12.5%
Financial Services	17.9%	19.3%
Technology	14.3%	19.8%
Industrials	13.9%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	10.7%
Real Estate	6.6%	3.7%
Energy	5.8%	5.8%
Basic Materials	4.3%	3.4%
Utilities	2.9%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	7.4%
Communication Services	1.9%	3.3%

Return for Risk

IWM vs. IWD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 72
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

IWD

IWD Risk / Return Rank: 92
IWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
IWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IWD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
IWD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. IWD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD). 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	IWD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.50	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.53	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.45	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	4.17	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.54	17.30	-6.76

IWM vs. IWD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWM Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is lower than the IWD Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWM and IWD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IWM vs. IWD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWM drawdown since its inception was -59.05%, roughly equal to the maximum IWD drawdown of -60.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWM and IWD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWM	IWD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.05%	-60.10%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.03%	-6.79%	-4.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.50%	-15.71%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.91%	-19.04%	-12.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.13%	-38.51%	-2.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.71%	-1.00%	-1.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.72%	-8.61%	-2.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	1.63%	+1.49%

Volatility

IWM vs. IWD - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a higher volatility of 3.62% compared to iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) at 3.08%. This indicates that IWM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWM	IWD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	3.08%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.17%	8.73%	+5.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.38%	11.32%	+8.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.49%	14.80%	+7.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.00%	17.25%	+5.75%

IWM vs. IWD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWM has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than IWD's 0.18% 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

IWM vs. IWD - Dividend Comparison

IWM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than IWD's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF	1.42%	1.69%	1.87%	2.02%	2.15%	1.62%	2.05%	2.45%	2.71%	2.09%	2.25%	2.47%
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

Can I hold both IWM and IWD in my portfolio?

IWM and IWD have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWM or IWD?

IWM has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to IWD (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWM dropped -59.05% vs IWD's -60.10%.

Which ETF is better, IWM or IWD?

On 10-year performance, IWD leads with 11.18% vs 10.65% for IWM. On fees, IWD is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IWD has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWM or IWD?

Over the 10-year period, IWD has performed better with a 11.18% return vs 10.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWM or IWD?

IWD is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

IWD has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.91% for IWM.

What is the main difference between IWM and IWD?

IWM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while IWD is Large Cap Value Equities. IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index, while IWD tracks Russell 1000 Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWM and 0.18% for IWD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.71), 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.