IWO vs. VTCLX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

IWO (iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and VTCLX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - IWO is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while VTCLX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWO returned 12.48%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for VTCLX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWO charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTCLX.

Performance

IWO vs. VTCLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWO achieves a 21.51% return, which is significantly higher than VTCLX's 8.11% return. Over the past 10 years, IWO has underperformed VTCLX with an annualized return of 12.48%, while VTCLX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.48% annualized return.

IWO

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 21.51%
• 6M: 17.87%
• 1Y: 40.60%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 5.33%
• 10Y*: 12.48%

VTCLX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: 20.42%
• 5Y*: 12.23%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

IWO vs. VTCLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	21.51%	12.90%	15.04%	18.51%	-26.27%	2.54%	34.68%	28.48%	-9.43%	22.25%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	8.11%	17.44%	23.76%	26.62%	-19.07%	26.87%	21.08%	31.47%	-4.98%	22.40%

Correlation

The correlation between IWO and VTCLX 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	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.87

The correlation between IWO and VTCLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWO vs. VTCLX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWO	VTCLX
Technology	25.9%	37.4%
Industrials	23.0%	8.8%
Healthcare	21.9%	8.5%
Financial Services	7.8%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	10.1%
Basic Materials	4.0%	2.0%
Energy	3.1%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	4.4%
Communication Services	2.2%	10.5%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Utilities	0.6%	2.0%

Return for Risk

IWO vs. VTCLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWO

IWO Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
IWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IWO Omega Ratio Rank: 56
IWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IWO Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VTCLX

VTCLX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VTCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VTCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VTCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VTCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. VTCLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). 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.

	IWO	VTCLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.75	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.41	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.52	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.79	11.24	-1.45

IWO vs. VTCLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the VTCLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWO and VTCLX, 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

IWO vs. VTCLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWO drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, which is greater than VTCLX's maximum drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWO and VTCLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWO	VTCLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-55.18%	-4.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.87%	-8.79%	-6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.57%	-19.01%	-9.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.51%	-24.98%	-15.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.02%	-34.56%	-7.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-2.88%	+2.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.67%	-7.55%	-9.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	1.96%	+2.20%

Volatility

IWO vs. VTCLX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) has a higher volatility of 7.60% compared to Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) at 4.86%. This indicates that IWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTCLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWO	VTCLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	4.86%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.58%	9.97%	+6.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	12.67%	+9.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.64%	17.32%	+7.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.17%	18.29%	+5.88%

IWO vs. VTCLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWO has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCLX's 0.05% 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

IWO vs. VTCLX - Dividend Comparison

IWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than VTCLX's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.42%	0.56%	0.80%	0.73%	0.73%	0.32%	0.44%	0.71%	0.76%	0.73%	0.97%	0.89%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	0.92%	0.93%	1.04%	1.24%	1.47%	1.04%	1.32%	1.52%	1.83%	1.57%	1.76%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWO and VTCLX in my portfolio?

IWO and VTCLX 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, IWO or VTCLX?

IWO has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to VTCLX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWO dropped -60.11% vs VTCLX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 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.