VEGI vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEGI (iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds from iShares - VEGI tracks the MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index while IWS tracks the Russell Midcap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEGI returned 8.58%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for IWS. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEGI charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

VEGI vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGI achieves a 16.98% return, which is significantly higher than IWS's 15.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VEGI has underperformed IWS with an annualized return of 8.58%, while IWS has yielded a comparatively higher 10.23% 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%

IWS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 15.13%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

VEGI vs. IWS - 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%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	15.06%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	26.73%	-12.43%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGI and IWS is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.72

The correlation between VEGI and IWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.74 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VEGI vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGI	IWS
Industrials	34.2%	16.7%
Consumer Defensive	33.3%	4.8%
Basic Materials	31.7%	5.4%
Communication Services	-	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.4%
Energy	-	8.1%
Financial Services	-	14.1%
Healthcare	-	7.3%
Real Estate	-	8.6%
Technology	-	16.5%
Utilities	-	7.0%

Return for Risk

VEGI vs. IWS — 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

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 58
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). 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	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.06	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.95	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.36	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	3.60	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.86	13.59	-9.73
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. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGI and IWS, 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	IWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.06	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.49	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.53	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.42	-0.08

Drawdowns

VEGI vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGI drawdown since its inception was -37.37%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGI and IWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGI	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.37%	-62.40%	+25.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.49%	-7.53%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.71%	-20.57%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.86%	-21.23%	-7.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.37%	-43.83%	+6.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.33%	-0.04%	-4.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.82%	-8.02%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	1.99%	+1.89%

Volatility

VEGI vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) has a higher volatility of 4.52% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 3.40%. This indicates that VEGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGI	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	3.40%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.80%	9.57%	+2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	13.19%	+1.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.88%	17.30%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	19.36%	-0.42%

VEGI vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGI has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGI vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

VEGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, more than IWS's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.34%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%
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 IWS in my portfolio?

VEGI and IWS have a correlation of 0.55, 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 IWS?

VEGI has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to IWS (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGI dropped -37.37% vs IWS's -62.40%.

Which ETF is better, VEGI or IWS?

On 10-year performance, IWS leads with 10.23% vs 8.58% for VEGI. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGI or IWS?

Over the 10-year period, IWS has performed better with a 10.23% 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 IWS?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for VEGI.

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

VEGI has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.34% for IWS.

What is the main difference between VEGI and IWS?

VEGI tracks MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, while IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for VEGI and 0.23% for IWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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.