SMMV vs. IWO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SMMV (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF) and IWO (iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from iShares - SMMV tracks the MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index while IWO tracks the Russell 2000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SMMV returned 4.97%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for IWO. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMMV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for IWO.

Performance

SMMV vs. IWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) and iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMMV achieves a 2.54% return, which is significantly lower than IWO's 18.58% return.

SMMV

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -1.40%
• YTD: 2.54%
• 6M: 3.30%
• 1Y: 7.22%
• 3Y*: 11.50%
• 5Y*: 4.97%
• 10Y*: —

IWO

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 18.58%
• 6M: 15.22%
• 1Y: 39.51%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

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

SMMV vs. IWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	2.54%	6.42%	18.29%	5.63%	-10.00%	16.64%	-2.88%	24.21%	1.15%	14.31%
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	18.58%	12.90%	15.04%	18.51%	-26.27%	2.54%	34.68%	28.48%	-9.43%	22.25%

Correlation

The correlation between SMMV and IWO is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2016	0.80

The correlation between SMMV and IWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMMV vs. IWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMMV	IWO
Healthcare	17.1%	22.4%
Industrials	13.8%	23.1%
Real Estate	13.4%	2.1%
Technology	10.9%	23.6%
Financial Services	10.9%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	2.6%
Utilities	7.7%	0.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	7.7%
Communication Services	5.4%	2.2%
Energy	4.5%	3.5%
Basic Materials	2.0%	4.2%

Return for Risk

SMMV vs. IWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMMV

SMMV Risk / Return Rank: 23
SMMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
SMMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
SMMV Omega Ratio Rank: 21
SMMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SMMV Martin Ratio Rank: 25

IWO

IWO Risk / Return Rank: 54
IWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
IWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IWO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
IWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
IWO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

SMMV vs. IWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) and iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO). 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.

	SMMV	IWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	1.86	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	2.55	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.30	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	2.67	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.27	9.58	-6.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMMV vs. IWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the IWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMMV and IWO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMMV	IWO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	1.86	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.24	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.29	+0.24

Drawdowns

SMMV vs. IWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMMV drawdown since its inception was -38.77%, smaller than the maximum IWO drawdown of -60.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMMV and IWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMMV	IWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.77%	-60.11%	+21.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.02%	-14.87%	+7.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-28.57%	+14.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-40.51%	+22.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.02%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.98%	0.00%	-3.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.10%	-16.70%	+11.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	4.14%	-1.92%

Volatility

SMMV vs. IWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) is 2.29%, while iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) has a volatility of 6.54%. This indicates that SMMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMMV	IWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	6.54%	-4.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	15.72%	-9.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.72%	21.33%	-11.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.50%	24.49%	-10.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	24.13%	-8.44%

SMMV vs. IWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMMV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than IWO's 0.24% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMMV vs. IWO - Dividend Comparison

SMMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, more than IWO's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.39%	0.56%	0.80%	0.73%	0.73%	0.32%	0.44%	0.71%	0.76%	0.73%	0.97%	0.89%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	1.74%	1.77%	1.76%	2.30%	1.67%	1.08%	1.39%	1.64%	1.72%	1.63%	0.79%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMMV and IWO in my portfolio?

SMMV and IWO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMMV or IWO?

IWO has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to SMMV (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMMV dropped -38.77% vs IWO's -60.11%.

Which ETF is better, SMMV or IWO?

On 5-year performance, IWO leads with 5.89% vs 4.97% for SMMV. On fees, SMMV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SMMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMMV or IWO?

Over the 5-year period, IWO has performed better with a 5.89% return vs 4.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMMV or IWO?

SMMV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for IWO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMMV or IWO?

SMMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.39% for IWO.

What is the main difference between SMMV and IWO?

SMMV tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, while IWO tracks Russell 2000 Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SMMV and 0.24% for IWO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.75), 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.