SFSNX vs. IWM
SFSNX (Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SFSNX returned 11.20%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for IWM. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SFSNX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
SFSNX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SFSNX achieves a 17.14% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 19.22% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SFSNX having a 11.20% annualized return and IWM not far ahead at 11.27%.
SFSNX
- 1D
- 2.55%
- 1M
- 4.00%
- YTD
- 17.14%
- 6M
- 14.64%
- 1Y
- 34.12%
- 3Y*
- 15.66%
- 5Y*
- 7.28%
- 10Y*
- 11.20%
IWM
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 2.99%
- YTD
- 19.22%
- 6M
- 16.00%
- 1Y
- 41.75%
- 3Y*
- 17.23%
- 5Y*
- 6.07%
- 10Y*
- 11.27%
SFSNX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund | 17.14% | 7.66% | 8.99% | 20.15% | -14.79% | 30.91% | 8.49% | 24.44% | -12.26% | 12.84% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 19.22% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between SFSNX and IWM is 0.93, 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008 | 0.97 |
The correlation between SFSNX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
SFSNX vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
SFSNX
IWM
Industrials
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Healthcare
Energy
Basic Materials
Consumer Defensive
Communication Services
Utilities
Industrials
SFSNX
IWM
Technology
SFSNX
IWM
Financial Services
SFSNX
IWM
Consumer Cyclical
SFSNX
IWM
Real Estate
SFSNX
IWM
Healthcare
SFSNX
IWM
Energy
SFSNX
IWM
Basic Materials
SFSNX
IWM
Consumer Defensive
SFSNX
IWM
Communication Services
SFSNX
IWM
Utilities
SFSNX
IWM
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Return for Risk
SFSNX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
SFSNX
IWM
SFSNX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) 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.
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.
| SFSNX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.33 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.36 | 3.57 | -0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.94 | 12.63 | -1.69 |
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Drawdowns
SFSNX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SFSNX drawdown since its inception was -58.32%, roughly equal to the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFSNX and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SFSNX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.32% | -59.05% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.43% | -11.03% | +1.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.91% | -27.50% | +1.59% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.91% | -31.91% | +6.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.82% | -41.13% | -3.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.30% | -10.76% | +2.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.89% | 3.12% | -0.23% |
Volatility
SFSNX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) is 5.25%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 7.16%. This indicates that SFSNX 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
| SFSNX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.25% | 7.16% | -1.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.32% | 14.29% | -1.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.42% | 19.73% | -2.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 22.61% | -1.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.29% | 23.08% | +0.21% |
SFSNX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
SFSNX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
SFSNX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
SFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.87% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund | 1.16% | 1.36% | 1.71% | 1.37% | 7.05% | 12.27% | 1.42% | 3.66% | 11.55% | 6.88% | 1.86% | 6.37% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, SFSNX and IWM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IWM has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to SFSNX (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFSNX dropped -58.32% vs IWM's -59.05%.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.82), 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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