PVIVX vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PVIVX (Paradigm Micro-cap Fund) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PVIVX returned 14.57%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for IWC. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PVIVX charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

PVIVX vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Paradigm Micro-cap Fund (PVIVX) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PVIVX achieves a 29.56% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 21.51% return. Over the past 10 years, PVIVX has outperformed IWC with an annualized return of 14.57%, while IWC has yielded a comparatively lower 11.58% annualized return.

PVIVX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 6.82%
• YTD: 29.56%
• 6M: 24.84%
• 1Y: 47.96%
• 3Y*: 14.83%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

IWC

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 21.51%
• 6M: 25.02%
• 1Y: 61.79%
• 3Y*: 22.59%
• 5Y*: 5.97%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

PVIVX vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PVIVX Paradigm Micro-cap Fund	29.56%	-4.81%	13.48%	17.89%	-20.62%	27.94%	46.96%	22.38%	-10.88%	15.82%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	21.51%	22.45%	13.63%	8.99%	-21.93%	18.67%	20.88%	22.20%	-13.13%	12.79%

Correlation

The correlation between PVIVX and IWC 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	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2008	0.87

The correlation between PVIVX and IWC shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PVIVX vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PVIVX

PVIVX Risk / Return Rank: 45
PVIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PVIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PVIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PVIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PVIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 78
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 67
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

PVIVX vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paradigm Micro-cap Fund (PVIVX) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). 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.

	PVIVX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.64	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	3.41	-0.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	4.97	-1.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.75	16.48	-6.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PVIVX vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PVIVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PVIVX and IWC, 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

	PVIVX	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.64	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.25	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02	0.48	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.32	-0.30

Drawdowns

PVIVX vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PVIVX drawdown since its inception was -95.67%, which is greater than IWC's maximum drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PVIVX and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PVIVX	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.67%	-64.61%	-31.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.84%	-12.43%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-95.67%	-29.46%	-66.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-95.67%	-40.68%	-54.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-95.67%	-47.21%	-48.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.89%	-0.83%	-92.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.87%	-15.28%	-1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.71%	3.75%	+0.96%

Volatility

PVIVX vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

Paradigm Micro-cap Fund (PVIVX) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) have volatilities of 7.11% and 6.90%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PVIVX	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.11%	6.90%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.37%	17.20%	+0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.20%	23.52%	+1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	887.36%	24.40%	+862.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	627.78%	24.42%	+603.36%

PVIVX vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PVIVX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PVIVX vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

PVIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.30%, more than IWC's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.89%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%
PVIVX Paradigm Micro-cap Fund	12.30%	15.93%	6.40%	0.00%	0.00%	1.11%	5.25%	0.01%	14.09%	6.88%	3.61%	1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PVIVX and IWC in my portfolio?

PVIVX and IWC 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.

Which is riskier, PVIVX or IWC?

PVIVX has higher volatility (7.11%) compared to IWC (6.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PVIVX dropped -95.67% vs IWC's -64.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.88), 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.