IWQU.L vs. WSMDX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IWQU.L (iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS) and WSMDX (William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both funds - IWQU.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI NR USD, while WSMDX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by William Blair. Over the past 10 years, IWQU.L returned 12.42%/yr vs 12.50%/yr for WSMDX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWQU.L charges 0.30%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for WSMDX.

Performance

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS (IWQU.L) and William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWQU.L achieves a 8.47% return, which is significantly lower than WSMDX's 13.34% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IWQU.L having a 12.42% annualized return and WSMDX not far ahead at 12.50%.

IWQU.L

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 8.47%
• 6M: 9.52%
• 1Y: 20.74%
• 3Y*: 18.41%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

WSMDX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 13.34%
• 6M: 12.41%
• 1Y: 26.51%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 12.50%

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

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWQU.L iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS	8.47%	15.28%	17.38%	25.66%	-19.26%	23.70%	14.95%	29.64%	-7.53%	23.57%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	13.34%	0.63%	27.55%	18.14%	-22.98%	8.28%	32.38%	30.81%	-2.18%	28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between IWQU.L and WSMDX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2014	0.51

The correlation between IWQU.L and WSMDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWQU.L

IWQU.L Risk / Return Rank: 56
IWQU.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
IWQU.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IWQU.L Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IWQU.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IWQU.L Martin Ratio Rank: 58

WSMDX

WSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 32
WSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
WSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
WSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
WSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
WSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS (IWQU.L) and William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX). 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.

	IWQU.L	WSMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.44	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	2.09	+0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.29	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.14	8.43	+1.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWQU.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the WSMDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWQU.L and WSMDX, 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

	IWQU.L	WSMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	1.44	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.29	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.57	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.54	+0.25

Drawdowns

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWQU.L drawdown since its inception was -33.05%, smaller than the maximum WSMDX drawdown of -50.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWQU.L and WSMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWQU.L	WSMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.05%	-50.33%	+17.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.53%	-11.50%	+2.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.09%	-25.63%	+9.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.70%	-36.89%	+9.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.05%	-36.89%	+3.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.69%	-8.46%	+3.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	3.11%	-1.04%

Volatility

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS (IWQU.L) is 3.18%, while William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) has a volatility of 5.39%. This indicates that IWQU.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WSMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWQU.L	WSMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	5.39%	-2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.91%	14.12%	-5.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.45%	18.23%	-6.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.42%	23.04%	-7.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.81%	21.93%	-6.12%

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWQU.L has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than WSMDX's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWQU.L vs. WSMDX - Dividend Comparison

IWQU.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while WSMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWQU.L iShares MSCI World Quality Factor UCITS	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.48%	2.81%	24.90%	7.89%	3.34%	9.30%	1.66%	7.13%	8.88%	5.33%	2.64%	5.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWQU.L and WSMDX in my portfolio?

IWQU.L and WSMDX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.