STMGX vs. IWV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

STMGX (American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund) and IWV (iShares Russell 3000 ETF) are both funds - STMGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Beacon, while IWV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index. Over the past 10 years, STMGX returned 13.77%/yr vs 14.86%/yr for IWV. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STMGX charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for IWV.

Performance

STMGX vs. IWV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (STMGX) and iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with STMGX having a 10.87% return and IWV slightly lower at 10.78%. Over the past 10 years, STMGX has underperformed IWV with an annualized return of 13.77%, while IWV has yielded a comparatively higher 14.86% annualized return.

STMGX

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 7.67%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.56%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 6.99%
• 10Y*: 13.77%

IWV

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 10.78%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 27.44%
• 3Y*: 21.75%
• 5Y*: 12.53%
• 10Y*: 14.86%

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

STMGX vs. IWV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STMGX American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund	10.87%	12.98%	13.16%	25.22%	-28.31%	12.29%	39.82%	31.31%	1.71%	27.97%
IWV iShares Russell 3000 ETF	10.78%	16.96%	23.49%	25.82%	-19.28%	25.54%	20.55%	30.66%	-5.43%	20.97%

Correlation

The correlation between STMGX and IWV is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2006	0.91

The correlation between STMGX and IWV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STMGX vs. IWV — Risk / Return Rank

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

STMGX

STMGX Risk / Return Rank: 26
STMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
STMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
STMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
STMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
STMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IWV

IWV Risk / Return Rank: 67
IWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IWV Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IWV Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

STMGX vs. IWV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (STMGX) and iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV). 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.

	STMGX	IWV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.28	-0.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	3.13	-1.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.41	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	3.10	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.48	14.28	-6.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STMGX vs. IWV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STMGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the IWV Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STMGX and IWV, 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

	STMGX	IWV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.28	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.73	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.81	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.45	+0.01

Drawdowns

STMGX vs. IWV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STMGX drawdown since its inception was -57.58%, roughly equal to the maximum IWV drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STMGX and IWV.

Drawdown Indicators

	STMGX	IWV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.58%	-55.61%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.84%	-8.89%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.50%	-19.28%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.59%	-25.11%	-11.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.59%	-35.22%	-1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.76%	+0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.16%	-10.59%	+0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	1.93%	+1.14%

Volatility

STMGX vs. IWV - Volatility Comparison

American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (STMGX) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV) at 2.95%. This indicates that STMGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STMGX	IWV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	2.95%	+1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.70%	9.09%	+3.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.29%	12.11%	+4.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	17.24%	+3.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	18.40%	+2.49%

STMGX vs. IWV - Expense Ratio Comparison

STMGX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than IWV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

STMGX vs. IWV - Dividend Comparison

STMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 31.01%, more than IWV's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWV iShares Russell 3000 ETF	0.85%	0.96%	1.08%	1.30%	1.56%	1.04%	1.30%	1.69%	1.97%	1.58%	1.79%	1.99%
STMGX American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund	31.01%	34.38%	4.86%	0.00%	3.42%	7.49%	1.45%	3.60%	9.39%	5.40%	6.65%	5.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STMGX and IWV in my portfolio?

STMGX and IWV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STMGX or IWV?

STMGX has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to IWV (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STMGX dropped -57.58% vs IWV's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.39), 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.