VBR vs. IWMY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and IWMY (Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while IWMY is a Options Trading fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VBR returned 27.94% vs 21.26% for IWMY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for IWMY.

Performance

VBR vs. IWMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 14.60% return, which is significantly higher than IWMY's 13.70% return.

VBR

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 14.60%
• 6M: 12.92%
• 1Y: 27.94%
• 3Y*: 16.09%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

IWMY

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 13.70%
• 6M: 10.66%
• 1Y: 21.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VBR vs. IWMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	14.60%	9.09%	12.40%	20.39%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	13.70%	10.18%	5.56%	10.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and IWMY is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2023	0.86

The correlation between VBR and IWMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBR vs. IWMY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 67
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IWMY

IWMY Risk / Return Rank: 41
IWMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
IWMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
IWMY Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IWMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
IWMY Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

VBR vs. IWMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). 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.

	VBR	IWMY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.31	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	1.79	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.23	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	1.85	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.22	6.03	+5.19

VBR vs. IWMY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the IWMY Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR and IWMY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VBR vs. IWMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, which is greater than IWMY's maximum drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and IWMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	IWMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-18.72%	-43.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-11.57%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.12%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-2.96%	-5.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	3.54%	-1.04%

Volatility

VBR vs. IWMY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is 4.43%, while Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY) has a volatility of 6.80%. This indicates that VBR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBR	IWMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	6.80%	-2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.65%	13.47%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.36%	16.36%	-1.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.79%	15.94%	+3.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.74%	15.94%	+5.80%

VBR vs. IWMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBR has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IWMY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBR vs. IWMY - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than IWMY's 44.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	44.61%	63.33%	107.92%	11.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.71%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBR and IWMY in my portfolio?

VBR and IWMY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBR or IWMY?

IWMY has higher volatility (6.80%) compared to VBR (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs IWMY's -18.72%.

Which ETF is better, VBR or IWMY?

On 1-year performance, VBR leads with 27.94% vs 21.26% for IWMY. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBR has been the lower-risk option at 4.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBR or IWMY?

Over the 1-year period, VBR has performed better with a 27.94% return vs 21.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBR or IWMY?

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IWMY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBR or IWMY?

IWMY has the higher dividend yield at 44.61%, compared with 1.71% for VBR.

What is the main difference between VBR and IWMY?

VBR is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IWMY is Options Trading. VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while IWMY tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBR and 0.99% for IWMY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.31), 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.