SDG vs. IWM
SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDG is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDG returned 8.63%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
SDG vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SDG achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SDG has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.63%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.
SDG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 9.62%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 7.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.63%
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%
SDG vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 9.89% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 25.38% | -8.32% | 27.28% |
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 SDG and IWM is 0.65, 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 | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2016 | 0.65 |
The correlation between SDG and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SDG vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
SDG
IWM
SDG vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) 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.
| SDG | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.34 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.96 | 3.56 | -0.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.84 | 12.64 | -1.80 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SDG | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.78 | 2.05 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.27 | -0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.48 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.37 | +0.15 |
Drawdowns
SDG vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SDG drawdown since its inception was -30.35%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDG and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SDG | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.35% | -59.05% | +28.70% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -11.03% | +2.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.92% | -27.50% | +4.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.35% | -31.91% | +1.56% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.35% | -41.13% | +10.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.33% | -1.49% | +1.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.66% | -10.77% | +1.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.36% | 3.10% | -0.74% |
Volatility
SDG vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is 5.28%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that SDG 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
| SDG | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.28% | 5.75% | -0.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.07% | 13.53% | -2.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.41% | 19.20% | -4.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.63% | 22.52% | -6.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 23.04% | -6.36% |
SDG vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
SDG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
SDG vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
SDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.82% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SDG and IWM have a correlation of 0.65, 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 SDG (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDG dropped -30.35% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 8.63% for SDG. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, SDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. 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 8.63%. 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 0.50% for SDG.
SDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.
SDG is categorized as Global Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SDG and 0.19% for IWM.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.78), 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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