VB vs. IWMW
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and IWMW (iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while IWMW is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VB returned 27.26% vs 26.97% for IWMW. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IWMW.
Performance
VB vs. IWMW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 18.29% return, which is significantly higher than IWMW's 16.14% return.
VB
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- 6M
- 12.11%
- YTD
- 18.29%
- 1Y
- 27.26%
- 3Y*
- 15.73%
- 5Y*
- 7.87%
- 10Y*
- 11.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.01%
IWMW
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 2.26%
- 6M
- 14.29%
- YTD
- 16.14%
- 1Y
- 26.97%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 12.51%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $647.07K | $528.72K | $531.31K | |
| $131.72M | $125.44M | $163.55M |
VB vs. IWMW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 18.29% | 8.87% | 10.63% |
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF | 16.14% | 7.82% | 5.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and IWMW is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2024 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VB and IWMW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
VB vs. IWMW - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VB
IWMW
Industrials
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Basic Materials
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Communication Services
Industrials
VB
IWMW
Technology
VB
IWMW
Healthcare
VB
IWMW
Financial Services
VB
IWMW
Consumer Cyclical
VB
IWMW
Real Estate
VB
IWMW
Basic Materials
VB
IWMW
Energy
VB
IWMW
Consumer Defensive
VB
IWMW
Utilities
VB
IWMW
Communication Services
VB
IWMW
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Return for Risk
VB vs. IWMW — Risk / Return Rank
VB
IWMW
VB vs. IWMW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW). 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.
| VB | IWMW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.43 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.05 | 3.90 | -0.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.13 | 13.50 | -2.38 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. IWMW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than IWMW's maximum drawdown of -21.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and IWMW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | IWMW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -21.82% | -37.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -6.94% | -2.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.81% | 0.00% | -0.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.38% | -3.59% | -4.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.46% | 2.00% | +0.46% |
Volatility
VB vs. IWMW - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) at 3.14%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWMW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | IWMW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.12% | 3.14% | +0.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.21% | 9.40% | +2.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.47% | 12.46% | +4.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.72% | 15.79% | +4.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.39% | 15.79% | +5.60% |
VB vs. IWMW - Expense Ratio Comparison
VB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IWMW's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
VB vs. IWMW - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than IWMW's 20.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF | 20.22% | 20.98% | 17.73% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.19% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VB and IWMW have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to IWMW (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs IWMW's -21.82%.
On 1-year performance, VB leads with 27.26% vs 26.97% for IWMW. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IWMW has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VB has performed better with a 27.26% return vs 26.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IWMW.
IWMW has the higher dividend yield at 20.22%, compared with 1.19% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while IWMW is Derivative Income. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while IWMW tracks Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VB and 0.39% for IWMW.
IWMW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.66), 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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