TISVX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TISVX (Transamerica International Small Cap Value) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - TISVX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Transamerica, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 10 years, TISVX returned 9.18%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for IWM. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TISVX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

TISVX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Transamerica International Small Cap Value (TISVX) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISVX achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TISVX has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 9.18%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.08% annualized return.

TISVX

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 9.69%
• 6M: 13.00%
• 1Y: 17.07%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: 9.18%

IWM

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 43.31%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 11.08%

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

TISVX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISVX Transamerica International Small Cap Value	9.69%	30.68%	5.53%	17.39%	-17.32%	12.40%	8.91%	25.49%	-16.32%	30.46%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.69%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between TISVX and IWM is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.56

The correlation between TISVX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISVX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISVX

TISVX Risk / Return Rank: 19
TISVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
TISVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
TISVX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
TISVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
TISVX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 69
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

TISVX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Transamerica International Small Cap Value (TISVX) 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.

	TISVX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.27	-0.99
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	3.12	-1.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.37	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	3.97	-2.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.42	14.12	-8.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TISVX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISVX and IWM, 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

	TISVX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	2.27	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.29	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.48	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.37	+0.11

Drawdowns

TISVX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISVX drawdown since its inception was -38.08%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISVX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISVX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.08%	-59.05%	+20.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.94%	-11.03%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.00%	-27.50%	+13.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.52%	-31.91%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.08%	-41.13%	+3.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.04%	-0.13%	-1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-10.77%	+2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.10%	+0.19%

Volatility

TISVX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Transamerica International Small Cap Value (TISVX) is 4.09%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that TISVX 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.

Volatility by Period

	TISVX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	5.56%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	13.52%	-2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.05%	19.14%	-5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	22.52%	-5.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	23.04%	-6.14%

TISVX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISVX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

TISVX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

TISVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.08%, 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%
TISVX Transamerica International Small Cap Value	4.08%	4.47%	6.04%	3.00%	3.62%	3.78%	1.01%	2.11%	8.34%	3.01%	2.86%	6.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISVX and IWM in my portfolio?

TISVX and IWM have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TISVX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to TISVX (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISVX dropped -38.08% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.28), 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.