RUSC vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RUSC (U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. RUSC is actively managed, while IWC is passively managed. Over the past year, RUSC returned 43.83% vs 59.41% for IWC. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RUSC charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

RUSC vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF (RUSC) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RUSC having a 23.06% return and IWC slightly higher at 23.36%.

RUSC

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 5.41%
• YTD: 23.06%
• 6M: 20.35%
• 1Y: 43.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWC

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 23.36%
• 6M: 19.51%
• 1Y: 59.41%
• 3Y*: 23.10%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 12.07%

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

RUSC vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RUSC U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF	23.06%	16.87%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	23.36%	33.83%

Correlation

The correlation between RUSC and IWC is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2025	0.90

The correlation between RUSC and IWC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RUSC vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

RUSC

RUSC Risk / Return Rank: 79
RUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
RUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
RUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
RUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 77
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 66
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.

RUSC vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF (RUSC) 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.

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.

	RUSC	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.45	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.14	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.80	4.80	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.10	15.64	+1.46

RUSC vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RUSC Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RUSC 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.

Drawdowns

RUSC vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RUSC drawdown since its inception was -9.18%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RUSC and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	RUSC	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-64.61%	+55.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-12.43%	+3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-40.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.71%	-15.25%	+13.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	3.81%	-1.24%

Volatility

RUSC vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF (RUSC) is 5.84%, while iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) has a volatility of 8.66%. This indicates that RUSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RUSC	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	8.66%	-2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.63%	18.16%	-4.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.60%	24.39%	-5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.34%	24.58%	-6.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	24.52%	-6.18%

RUSC vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

RUSC has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

RUSC vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

RUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than IWC's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.98%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%
RUSC U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF	0.31%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RUSC and IWC in my portfolio?

RUSC and IWC have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RUSC or IWC?

IWC has higher volatility (8.66%) compared to RUSC (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RUSC dropped -9.18% vs IWC's -64.61%.

Which ETF is better, RUSC or IWC?

On 1-year performance, IWC leads with 59.41% vs 43.83% for RUSC. On fees, IWC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, RUSC has been the lower-risk option at 5.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RUSC or IWC?

Over the 1-year period, IWC has performed better with a 59.41% return vs 43.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RUSC or IWC?

IWC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for RUSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RUSC or IWC?

IWC has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.31% for RUSC.

What is the main difference between RUSC and IWC?

They also come from different issuers: Russell and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for RUSC and 0.60% for IWC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.37), 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.