VRTIX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VRTIX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX returned 11.24%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VRTIX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

VRTIX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) 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, VRTIX achieves a 18.71% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 17.07% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTIX having a 11.24% annualized return and IWM not far behind at 10.93%.

VRTIX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 6M: 17.45%
• 1Y: 41.29%
• 3Y*: 18.57%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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)

VRTIX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.71%	12.55%	11.59%	17.01%	-20.40%	14.71%	20.46%	25.60%	-10.92%	14.77%
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 VRTIX and IWM is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	1.00

The correlation between VRTIX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRTIX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTIX

VRTIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VRTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VRTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VRTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VRTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VRTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

VRTIX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) 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.

	VRTIX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.05	+0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.85	+0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	3.56	+0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.13	12.64	+1.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTIX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTIX 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

	VRTIX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	2.05	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.27	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.15

Drawdowns

VRTIX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTIX drawdown since its inception was -41.69%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTIX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTIX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-59.05%	+17.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-11.03%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.72%	-27.50%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.98%	-31.91%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-41.13%	-0.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-1.49%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-10.77%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	3.10%	-0.01%

Volatility

VRTIX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 5.59% and 5.75%, 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

	VRTIX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	5.75%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.59%	13.53%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.13%	19.20%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.60%	22.52%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.46%	23.04%	+0.42%

VRTIX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTIX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VRTIX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

VRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, 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%
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.07%	1.00%	1.23%	1.46%	1.50%	1.05%	1.14%	1.36%	1.49%	1.24%	1.33%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTIX and IWM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VRTIX and IWM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VRTIX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to VRTIX (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTIX dropped -41.69% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.05), 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.