IWN vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IWN (iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWN is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Value Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWN returned 10.05%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for VEA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWN charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

IWN vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWN achieves a 16.90% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 12.02% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IWN having a 10.05% annualized return and VEA not far ahead at 10.14%.

IWN

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 16.90%
• 6M: 16.09%
• 1Y: 39.09%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

IWN vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	16.90%	12.40%	7.63%	14.56%	-14.77%	27.96%	4.66%	22.01%	-13.01%	7.69%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between IWN and VEA is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.73

The correlation between IWN and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWN vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWN	VEA
Financial Services	24.2%	23.3%
Technology	12.4%	13.8%
Industrials	11.1%	19.2%
Real Estate	10.2%	2.7%
Energy	9.2%	5.4%
Healthcare	8.8%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	7.5%
Utilities	5.7%	3.3%
Basic Materials	5.4%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	5.6%
Communication Services	1.6%	3.4%

Return for Risk

IWN vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWN

IWN Risk / Return Rank: 78
IWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
IWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IWN Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IWN Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

IWN vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	IWN	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.75	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	2.39	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	2.42	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.56	9.39	+6.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWN vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWN Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWN and VEA, 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

	IWN	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	1.75	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.55	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.59	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.24	+0.15

Drawdowns

IWN vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, roughly equal to the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWN and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWN	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-60.68%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.45%	-11.63%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.70%	-13.45%	-13.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.70%	-29.71%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.08%	-35.73%	-10.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	-3.40%	+1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-13.29%	+3.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.00%	-0.48%

Volatility

IWN vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) is 5.31%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.03%. This indicates that IWN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWN	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	6.03%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.13%	13.91%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.99%	16.15%	+1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	16.63%	+4.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.41%	17.40%	+6.01%

IWN vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWN has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% 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

IWN vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

IWN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, less than VEA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	1.46%	1.70%	1.80%	2.04%	2.12%	1.48%	1.60%	1.92%	1.99%	1.78%	1.74%	2.15%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWN and VEA in my portfolio?

IWN and VEA have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWN or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to IWN (5.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWN dropped -61.55% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, IWN or VEA?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.14% vs 10.05% for IWN. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IWN has been the lower-risk option at 5.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWN or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.14% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWN or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for IWN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWN or VEA?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 1.46% for IWN.

What is the main difference between IWN and VEA?

IWN is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IWN tracks Russell 2000 Value Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for IWN and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.75), 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.