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REM vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

REM vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REM (iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REM is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REM returned 2.55%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REM charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

REM vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) 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, REM achieves a -2.10% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, REM has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 2.55%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

REM

1D
-1.24%
1M
-4.86%
YTD
-2.10%
6M
-2.10%
1Y
11.53%
3Y*
8.00%
5Y*
-2.48%
10Y*
2.55%

IWM

1D
-1.37%
1M
3.52%
YTD
17.07%
6M
15.83%
1Y
39.10%
3Y*
17.88%
5Y*
6.11%
10Y*
10.93%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

REM vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
REM
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF		-2.10%13.30%-1.00%14.43%-27.56%16.14%-19.99%21.34%-3.09%18.43%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		17.07%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between REM and IWM is 0.57, 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

0.57

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

0.68

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

0.75

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

0.68

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 7, 2007

0.68

The correlation between REM and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.75 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

REM vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
REM
IWM

Real Estate

97.2%
5.7%

Financial Services

2.4%
15.8%

Basic Materials

-

4.5%

Communication Services

-

2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

7.8%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.1%

Energy

-

6.0%

Healthcare

-

15.8%

Industrials

-

17.1%

Technology

-

19.5%

Utilities

-

3.0%

Real Estate

REM
97.2%
IWM
5.7%

Financial Services

REM
2.4%
IWM
15.8%

Basic Materials

REM

-

IWM
4.5%

Communication Services

REM

-

IWM
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

REM

-

IWM
7.8%

Consumer Defensive

REM

-

IWM
2.1%

Energy

REM

-

IWM
6.0%

Healthcare

REM

-

IWM
15.8%

Industrials

REM

-

IWM
17.1%

Technology

REM

-

IWM
19.5%

Utilities

REM

-

IWM
3.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with REM:
REM vs. MORTREM vs. VNQREM vs. REETREM vs. IYRREM vs. NLYREM vs. OREM vs. QQQ
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWO

Return for Risk

REM vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
REM
REM Risk / Return Rank: 2020
Overall Rank
REM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
REM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
REM Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
REM Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
REM Martin Ratio Rank: 2020
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
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.

REM vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) 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.

REMIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.69
2.05

-1.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.04
2.85

-1.81

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.34

-0.21

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.81

3.56

-2.75

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.33

12.64

-10.31

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REM vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REM Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REM 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

REMIWMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.69

2.05

-1.36

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.11

0.27

-0.38

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.09

0.48

-0.39

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.05

0.37

-0.41

Drawdowns

REM vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REM drawdown since its inception was -74.73%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REM and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

REMIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.73%

-59.05%

-15.68%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.25%

-11.03%

-3.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.91%

-27.50%

+5.59%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-43.31%

-31.91%

-11.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-68.52%

-41.13%

-27.39%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-23.85%

-1.49%

-22.36%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-38.35%

-10.77%

-27.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.95%

3.10%

+1.85%

Volatility

REM vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) is 3.81%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that REM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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

REMIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.81%

5.75%

-1.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.01%

13.53%

-0.52%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.85%

19.20%

-2.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.57%

22.52%

+1.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

28.27%

23.04%

+5.23%

REM vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

REM has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

REM vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

REM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.19%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.88%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
REM
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF		9.19%8.70%9.61%9.46%11.13%7.29%7.72%8.16%10.00%9.97%10.03%11.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

REM and IWM have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to REM (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REM dropped -74.73% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 2.55% for REM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, REM has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. 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 10.93% return vs 2.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for REM.

REM has the higher dividend yield at 9.19%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

REM is categorized as REIT, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. REM tracks FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for REM and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.69), 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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