SCZ vs. IWR
SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCZ is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while IWR is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCZ returned 8.64%/yr vs 11.79%/yr for IWR. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCZ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWR.
Performance
SCZ vs. IWR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCZ achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than IWR's 13.23% return. Over the past 10 years, SCZ has underperformed IWR with an annualized return of 8.64%, while IWR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.79% annualized return.
SCZ
- 1D
- 0.47%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- 9.70%
- 6M
- 11.43%
- 1Y
- 23.50%
- 3Y*
- 15.38%
- 5Y*
- 4.99%
- 10Y*
- 8.64%
IWR
- 1D
- 0.93%
- 1M
- 4.85%
- YTD
- 13.23%
- 6M
- 11.96%
- 1Y
- 23.37%
- 3Y*
- 16.40%
- 5Y*
- 7.99%
- 10Y*
- 11.79%
SCZ vs. IWR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF | 9.70% | 32.08% | 1.52% | 12.98% | -21.27% | 10.12% | 11.71% | 24.68% | -17.64% | 32.72% |
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF | 13.23% | 10.37% | 15.21% | 17.05% | -17.48% | 22.44% | 16.93% | 30.23% | -9.10% | 18.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCZ and IWR is 0.70, 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 | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007 | 0.76 |
The correlation between SCZ and IWR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
SCZ vs. IWR - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
SCZ
IWR
Industrials
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Technology
Basic Materials
Real Estate
Healthcare
Consumer Defensive
Communication Services
Energy
Utilities
Industrials
SCZ
IWR
Financial Services
SCZ
IWR
Consumer Cyclical
SCZ
IWR
Technology
SCZ
IWR
Basic Materials
SCZ
IWR
Real Estate
SCZ
IWR
Healthcare
SCZ
IWR
Consumer Defensive
SCZ
IWR
Communication Services
SCZ
IWR
Energy
SCZ
IWR
Utilities
SCZ
IWR
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Return for Risk
SCZ vs. IWR — Risk / Return Rank
SCZ
IWR
SCZ vs. IWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) and iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR). 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.
| SCZ | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.28 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 2.68 | -0.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.36 | 10.26 | -2.90 |
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Drawdowns
SCZ vs. IWR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCZ drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, which is greater than IWR's maximum drawdown of -58.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCZ and IWR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCZ | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.86% | -58.78% | -3.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.43% | -8.17% | -3.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.06% | -21.09% | +6.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.87% | -26.18% | -10.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.07% | -40.59% | -0.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.66% | 0.00% | -1.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.05% | -7.80% | -5.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 2.13% | +0.89% |
Volatility
SCZ vs. IWR - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) has a higher volatility of 5.27% compared to iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) at 4.49%. This indicates that SCZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCZ | IWR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.27% | 4.49% | +0.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.52% | 10.34% | +2.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.93% | 13.79% | +1.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.81% | 18.28% | -1.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.43% | 19.38% | -1.95% |
SCZ vs. IWR - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCZ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IWR's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCZ vs. IWR - Dividend Comparison
SCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than IWR's 1.14% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF | 1.14% | 1.29% | 1.27% | 1.43% | 1.59% | 1.04% | 1.28% | 1.43% | 1.98% | 1.52% | 1.72% | 1.59% |
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF | 3.01% | 3.30% | 3.50% | 2.96% | 1.99% | 2.96% | 1.52% | 3.52% | 2.79% | 2.38% | 2.82% | 2.06% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCZ and IWR have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCZ has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to IWR (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCZ dropped -61.86% vs IWR's -58.78%.
On 10-year performance, IWR leads with 11.79% vs 8.64% for SCZ. On fees, IWR is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWR has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IWR has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 8.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IWR is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for SCZ.
SCZ has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 1.14% for IWR.
SCZ is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IWR is Mid Cap Growth Equities. SCZ tracks MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while IWR tracks Russell Midcap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SCZ and 0.19% for IWR.
IWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.49), 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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