IWO vs. AOFIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IWO (iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and AOFIX (Alger Small Cap Focus Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IWO returned 11.28%/yr vs 9.08%/yr for AOFIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWO charges 0.24%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for AOFIX.

Performance

IWO vs. AOFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWO achieves a 18.58% return, which is significantly higher than AOFIX's 9.56% return. Over the past 10 years, IWO has outperformed AOFIX with an annualized return of 11.28%, while AOFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.08% annualized return.

IWO

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 18.58%
• 6M: 15.22%
• 1Y: 39.51%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

AOFIX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 4.26%
• YTD: 9.56%
• 6M: 5.14%
• 1Y: 28.55%
• 3Y*: 12.42%
• 5Y*: -3.55%
• 10Y*: 9.08%

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

IWO vs. AOFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	18.58%	12.90%	15.04%	18.51%	-26.27%	2.54%	34.68%	28.48%	-9.43%	22.25%
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	9.56%	6.96%	13.76%	9.88%	-37.62%	-14.06%	53.29%	24.16%	14.16%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between IWO and AOFIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2008	0.92

The correlation between IWO and AOFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWO vs. AOFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWO

IWO Risk / Return Rank: 54
IWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
IWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IWO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
IWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
IWO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

AOFIX

AOFIX Risk / Return Rank: 19
AOFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
AOFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
AOFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
AOFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
AOFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

IWO vs. AOFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX). 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.

	IWO	AOFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.20	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	1.76	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.21	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	1.55	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.58	5.11	+4.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWO vs. AOFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the AOFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWO and AOFIX, 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

	IWO	AOFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	1.20	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	-0.13	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.35	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.28	0.00

Drawdowns

IWO vs. AOFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWO drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, roughly equal to the maximum AOFIX drawdown of -60.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWO and AOFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWO	AOFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-60.19%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.87%	-19.88%	+5.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.57%	-31.97%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.51%	-55.64%	+15.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.02%	-60.19%	+18.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-32.91%	+32.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.70%	-19.42%	+2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	6.00%	-1.86%

Volatility

IWO vs. AOFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) is 6.54%, while Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) has a volatility of 8.34%. This indicates that IWO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AOFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWO	AOFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.54%	8.34%	-1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.72%	19.89%	-4.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.33%	25.74%	-4.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.49%	28.04%	-3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.13%	26.31%	-2.18%

IWO vs. AOFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWO has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than AOFIX's 1.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWO vs. AOFIX - Dividend Comparison

IWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, while AOFIX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.94%	0.00%	2.36%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.39%	0.56%	0.80%	0.73%	0.73%	0.32%	0.44%	0.71%	0.76%	0.73%	0.97%	0.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWO and AOFIX in my portfolio?

IWO and AOFIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWO or AOFIX?

AOFIX has higher volatility (8.34%) compared to IWO (6.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWO dropped -60.11% vs AOFIX's -60.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.20), 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.