IWS vs. VKSIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) and VKSIX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund) are both funds - IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index, while VKSIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 5 years, IWS returned 8.37%/yr vs -0.04%/yr for VKSIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWS charges 0.23%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for VKSIX.

Performance

IWS vs. VKSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWS achieves a 15.06% return, which is significantly higher than VKSIX's -6.56% return.

IWS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 15.13%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

VKSIX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -2.22%
• YTD: -6.56%
• 6M: -7.63%
• 1Y: -9.43%
• 3Y*: 3.69%
• 5Y*: -0.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

IWS vs. VKSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	15.06%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	26.73%	-9.62%
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	-6.56%	-4.36%	9.07%	23.61%	-23.83%	19.54%	33.45%	38.81%	-6.68%

Correlation

The correlation between IWS and VKSIX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2018	0.86

The correlation between IWS and VKSIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWS vs. VKSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 58
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VKSIX

VKSIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VKSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

IWS vs. VKSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX). 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.

	IWS	VKSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	-0.57	+2.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	-0.76	+3.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	0.92	+0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	-0.53	+4.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	-1.14	+14.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWS vs. VKSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWS Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the VKSIX Sharpe Ratio of -0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWS and VKSIX, 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

	IWS	VKSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	-0.57	+2.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	-0.00	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.39	+0.03

Drawdowns

IWS vs. VKSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWS drawdown since its inception was -62.40%, which is greater than VKSIX's maximum drawdown of -35.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWS and VKSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWS	VKSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.40%	-35.59%	-26.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	-16.70%	+9.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.57%	-20.29%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.23%	-32.49%	+11.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-17.61%	+17.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-8.87%	+0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	7.74%	-5.75%

Volatility

IWS vs. VKSIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) is 3.40%, while Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) has a volatility of 4.27%. This indicates that IWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VKSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWS	VKSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	4.27%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.57%	11.71%	-2.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.19%	15.51%	-2.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	19.18%	-1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.36%	20.98%	-1.62%

IWS vs. VKSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWS has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than VKSIX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWS vs. VKSIX - Dividend Comparison

IWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, more than VKSIX's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.34%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	0.37%	0.34%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	1.13%	0.01%	0.00%	1.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWS and VKSIX in my portfolio?

IWS and VKSIX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWS or VKSIX?

VKSIX has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to IWS (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWS dropped -62.40% vs VKSIX's -35.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs -0.57), 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.