TRPWX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TRPWX (TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - TRPWX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 10 years, TRPWX returned 8.45%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TRPWX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

TRPWX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund (TRPWX) 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, TRPWX achieves a 4.28% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, TRPWX has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.45%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

TRPWX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 5.07%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: -0.60%
• 10Y*: 8.45%

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%

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

TRPWX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRPWX TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund	4.28%	4.26%	8.50%	21.45%	-33.08%	2.88%	45.32%	33.47%	-8.63%	25.57%
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 TRPWX and IWM is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2002	0.88

The correlation between TRPWX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRPWX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRPWX

TRPWX Risk / Return Rank: 5
TRPWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
TRPWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
TRPWX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
TRPWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
TRPWX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

TRPWX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund (TRPWX) 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.

	TRPWX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	2.05	-1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	2.85	-2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.34	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.39	3.56	-3.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.08	12.64	-11.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRPWX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRPWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRPWX 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

	TRPWX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35	2.05	-1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.27	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.48	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.37	+0.08

Drawdowns

TRPWX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRPWX drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, roughly equal to the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRPWX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRPWX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-59.05%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.51%	-11.03%	-4.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-27.50%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.12%	-31.91%	-12.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.12%	-41.13%	-2.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.46%	-1.49%	-11.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.41%	-10.77%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.64%	3.10%	+2.54%

Volatility

TRPWX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund (TRPWX) is 4.00%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that TRPWX 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

	TRPWX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	5.75%	-1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.36%	13.53%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	19.20%	-1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.44%	22.52%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.28%	23.04%	+0.24%

TRPWX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRPWX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRPWX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

TRPWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.52%, 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%
TRPWX TIAA-CREF Mid-Cap Growth Fund	10.52%	10.97%	0.00%	0.18%	0.60%	15.18%	11.52%	11.22%	17.00%	9.47%	0.51%	8.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRPWX and IWM in my portfolio?

TRPWX and IWM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRPWX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to TRPWX (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRPWX dropped -58.68% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.35), 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.