VEGI vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEGI (iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEGI is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEGI returned 8.58%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEGI charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

VEGI vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VEGI having a 16.98% return and IWM slightly higher at 17.07%. Over the past 10 years, VEGI has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.58%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

VEGI

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -1.31%
• YTD: 16.98%
• 6M: 16.00%
• 1Y: 14.94%
• 3Y*: 8.09%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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)

VEGI vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	16.98%	11.34%	-4.85%	-8.59%	6.34%	21.56%	20.06%	13.52%	-9.76%	19.79%
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 VEGI and IWM is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between VEGI and IWM has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VEGI vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGI	IWM
Industrials	34.2%	17.1%
Consumer Defensive	33.3%	2.1%
Basic Materials	31.7%	4.5%
Communication Services	-	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.8%
Energy	-	6.0%
Financial Services	-	15.8%
Healthcare	-	15.8%
Real Estate	-	5.7%
Technology	-	19.5%
Utilities	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

VEGI vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGI

VEGI Risk / Return Rank: 30
VEGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VEGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VEGI Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VEGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VEGI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

VEGI vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) 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.

	VEGI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.05	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.85	-1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.34	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	3.56	-1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.86	12.64	-8.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEGI vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGI 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

	VEGI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.05	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.27	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.48	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.37	-0.03

Drawdowns

VEGI vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGI drawdown since its inception was -37.37%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGI and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGI	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.37%	-59.05%	+21.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.49%	-11.03%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.71%	-27.50%	+9.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.86%	-31.91%	+3.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.37%	-41.13%	+3.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.33%	-1.49%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.82%	-10.77%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	3.10%	+0.78%

Volatility

VEGI vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) is 4.52%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that VEGI 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

	VEGI	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	5.75%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.80%	13.53%	-1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	19.20%	-4.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.88%	22.52%	-4.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	23.04%	-4.10%

VEGI vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGI has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGI vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

VEGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, 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%
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	1.99%	2.33%	2.62%	2.54%	1.49%	1.46%	1.55%	1.84%	2.02%	1.75%	2.13%	2.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGI and IWM in my portfolio?

VEGI and IWM have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGI or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to VEGI (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGI dropped -37.37% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, VEGI or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 8.58% for VEGI. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, VEGI has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGI or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 8.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEGI or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for VEGI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEGI or IWM?

VEGI has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between VEGI and IWM?

VEGI is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. VEGI tracks MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for VEGI and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.02), 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.