IWO vs. DFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWO (iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWO is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IWO returned 18.01%/yr vs 20.90%/yr for DFAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWO charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.

Performance

IWO vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWO achieves a 16.75% return, which is significantly higher than DFAX's 15.23% return.

IWO

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 4.28%
• YTD: 16.75%
• 6M: 15.06%
• 1Y: 37.09%
• 3Y*: 18.01%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

DFAX

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IWO vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	16.75%	12.90%	15.04%	18.51%	-26.27%	-2.66%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	15.23%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between IWO and DFAX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.72

The correlation between IWO and DFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWO vs. DFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWO	DFAX
Technology	23.6%	10.9%
Industrials	23.1%	16.1%
Healthcare	22.4%	5.6%
Financial Services	8.2%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.9%
Basic Materials	4.2%	13.2%
Energy	3.5%	6.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	3.9%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.1%	3.1%
Utilities	0.7%	4.2%

Return for Risk

IWO vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWO

IWO Risk / Return Rank: 49
IWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IWO Omega Ratio Rank: 45
IWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IWO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.37	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.17	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.16	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.99	12.50	-3.51
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. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWO and DFAX, 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	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	2.37	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.65	-0.36

Drawdowns

IWO vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWO drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, which is greater than DFAX's maximum drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWO and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWO	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-28.15%	-31.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.87%	-11.11%	-3.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.57%	-13.89%	-14.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-1.00%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.71%	-6.67%	-10.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	2.80%	+1.34%

Volatility

IWO vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) at 5.27%. This indicates that IWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWO	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	5.27%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.65%	12.67%	+2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.34%	14.83%	+6.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.48%	15.99%	+8.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.13%	15.99%	+8.14%

IWO vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWO has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWO vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

IWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than DFAX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.22%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.40%	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 DFAX in my portfolio?

IWO and DFAX have a correlation of 0.69, 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 DFAX?

IWO has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to DFAX (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWO dropped -60.11% vs DFAX's -28.15%.

Which ETF is better, IWO or DFAX?

On 3-year performance, DFAX leads with 20.90% vs 18.01% for IWO. On fees, IWO is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, DFAX has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWO or DFAX?

Over the 3-year period, DFAX has performed better with a 20.90% return vs 18.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWO or DFAX?

IWO is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for DFAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWO or DFAX?

DFAX has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 0.40% for IWO.

What is the main difference between IWO and DFAX?

IWO is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while DFAX is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IWO tracks Russell 2000 Growth Index, while DFAX tracks MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for IWO and 0.30% for DFAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.