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IXUS vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXUS vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXUS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXUS returned 10.21%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for IWM. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

IXUS vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXUS achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.47% return. Over the past 10 years, IXUS has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 10.21%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.58% annualized return.

IXUS

1D
-3.08%
1M
0.45%
YTD
12.74%
6M
12.52%
1Y
29.41%
3Y*
19.01%
5Y*
8.29%
10Y*
10.21%

IWM

1D
-0.96%
1M
3.82%
YTD
20.47%
6M
17.64%
1Y
40.90%
3Y*
19.22%
5Y*
6.27%
10Y*
11.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXUS vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		12.74%32.40%5.19%15.83%-16.47%8.86%10.80%21.71%-14.41%28.12%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		20.47%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between IXUS and IWM is 0.75, 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

0.75

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.73

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.75

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.73

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.73

The correlation between IXUS and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXUS vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXUS
IWM

Technology

30.5%
20.1%

Financial Services

23.8%
15.5%

Industrials

11.3%
17.3%

Healthcare

6.5%
15.6%

Consumer Cyclical

5.6%
8.0%

Basic Materials

5.0%
4.5%

Energy

4.4%
6.0%

Communication Services

4.2%
1.7%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
2.0%

Utilities

1.9%
3.1%

Real Estate

0.2%
5.5%

Technology

IXUS
30.5%
IWM
20.1%

Financial Services

IXUS
23.8%
IWM
15.5%

Industrials

IXUS
11.3%
IWM
17.3%

Healthcare

IXUS
6.5%
IWM
15.6%

Consumer Cyclical

IXUS
5.6%
IWM
8.0%

Basic Materials

IXUS
5.0%
IWM
4.5%

Energy

IXUS
4.4%
IWM
6.0%

Communication Services

IXUS
4.2%
IWM
1.7%

Consumer Defensive

IXUS
3.9%
IWM
2.0%

Utilities

IXUS
1.9%
IWM
3.1%

Real Estate

IXUS
0.2%
IWM
5.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with IXUS:
IXUS vs. VXUSIXUS vs. ITOTIXUS vs. VEAIXUS vs. SCHFIXUS vs. ACWXIXUS vs. IEFAIXUS vs. IEMG
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. TNA

Return for Risk

IXUS vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXUS
IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXUS vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

IXUSIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.79
2.08

-0.30

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.44
2.86

-0.42

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.34

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.60

3.73

-1.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.00

13.18

-3.18

IXUS vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXUS and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IXUS vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXUSIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.22%

-59.05%

+22.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.36%

-11.03%

-0.33%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.75%

-27.50%

+13.75%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.03%

-31.91%

+1.88%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.22%

-41.13%

+4.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.08%

-0.96%

-2.12%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.48%

-10.75%

+3.27%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.95%

3.11%

-0.16%

Volatility

IXUS vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a higher volatility of 7.22% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 6.56%. This indicates that IXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXUSIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.22%

6.56%

+0.66%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.64%

14.31%

+0.33%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.56%

19.74%

-3.18%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.45%

22.61%

-6.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.97%

23.06%

-6.09%

IXUS vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IXUS vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.90%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		2.98%3.24%3.33%3.13%2.48%3.12%1.85%3.09%3.00%2.41%2.58%2.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXUS and IWM have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IXUS has higher volatility (7.22%) compared to IWM (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXUS dropped -36.22% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 11.58% vs 10.21% for IXUS. On fees, IXUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 11.58% return vs 10.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

IXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.

IXUS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IXUS and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.79), 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.

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