VEVFX vs. IWM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VEVFX (Vanguard Explorer Value Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - VEVFX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 10 years, VEVFX returned 10.38%/yr vs 10.70%/yr for IWM. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VEVFX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

VEVFX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX) 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, VEVFX achieves a 21.50% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 18.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEVFX having a 10.38% annualized return and IWM not far ahead at 10.70%.

VEVFX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.83%
• 6M: 14.49%
• YTD: 21.50%
• 1Y: 33.94%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 9.20%
• 10Y*: 10.38%
• ALL TIME*: 10.99%

IWM

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -2.14%
• 6M: 12.62%
• YTD: 18.79%
• 1Y: 36.90%
• 3Y*: 15.11%
• 5Y*: 6.99%
• 10Y*: 10.70%
• ALL TIME*: 8.73%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	$6.67B	$6.32B	$7.45B
VEVFX Vanguard Explorer Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VEVFX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEVFX Vanguard Explorer Value Fund	21.50%	7.40%	13.81%	15.29%	-14.11%	28.14%	3.29%	26.92%	-13.03%	12.43%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.79%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VEVFX and IWM is 0.85, 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.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2010	0.95

The correlation between VEVFX and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (1 year) to 0.95 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VEVFX vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEVFX	IWM
Financial Services	22.5%	18.3%
Industrials	16.6%	13.7%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	9.2%
Technology	9.9%	13.6%
Real Estate	7.9%	7.0%
Healthcare	7.5%	20.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	2.8%
Energy	4.3%	5.6%
Communication Services	4.1%	2.0%
Utilities	3.4%	2.9%
Basic Materials	3.3%	4.5%

Return for Risk

VEVFX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VEVFX

VEVFX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VEVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VEVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VEVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VEVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VEVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 79
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VEVFX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX) 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.

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.

	VEVFX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.77	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.51	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	3.11	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	11.02	-1.62

VEVFX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEVFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEVFX 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.

Drawdowns

VEVFX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEVFX drawdown since its inception was -47.53%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEVFX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEVFX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.53%	-59.05%	+11.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.31%	-11.03%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.32%	-27.50%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.32%	-31.91%	+4.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.53%	-41.13%	-6.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.41%	-3.08%	+1.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.56%	-10.71%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	3.11%	+0.16%

Volatility

VEVFX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 3.78% and 3.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEVFX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.78%	3.82%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.86%	14.12%	-2.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.32%	19.41%	-2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	22.48%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.42%	23.01%	-0.59%

VEVFX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEVFX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEVFX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

VEVFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.45%, more than IWM's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.91%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%
VEVFX Vanguard Explorer Value Fund	8.45%	10.26%	14.55%	2.49%	3.85%	3.83%	0.86%	1.47%	8.92%	3.00%	2.26%	6.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEVFX and IWM in my portfolio?

VEVFX and IWM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEVFX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to VEVFX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEVFX dropped -47.53% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEVFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.77), 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.