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VTI vs. IWS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTI vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 10.51%/yr for IWS. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

VTI vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly lower than IWS's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed IWS with an annualized return of 15.02%, while IWS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.51% annualized return.

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
0.45%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
24.78%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%

IWS

1D
1.16%
1M
4.03%
YTD
16.45%
6M
15.28%
1Y
27.58%
3Y*
16.65%
5Y*
8.67%
10Y*
10.51%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTI vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		16.45%10.82%12.91%12.52%-12.29%28.10%4.83%26.73%-12.43%13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and IWS is 0.77, 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

0.77

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.81

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.87

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2001

0.91

The correlation between VTI and IWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTI vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTI
IWS

Technology

33.5%
18.2%

Financial Services

12.0%
13.7%

Communication Services

10.3%
3.0%

Consumer Cyclical

10.0%
8.4%

Industrials

9.8%
16.5%

Healthcare

9.2%
7.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
4.8%

Energy

3.7%
7.7%

Real Estate

2.4%
8.2%

Utilities

2.3%
6.5%

Basic Materials

2.0%
5.4%

Technology

VTI
33.5%
IWS
18.2%

Financial Services

VTI
12.0%
IWS
13.7%

Communication Services

VTI
10.3%
IWS
3.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VTI
10.0%
IWS
8.4%

Industrials

VTI
9.8%
IWS
16.5%

Healthcare

VTI
9.2%
IWS
7.5%

Consumer Defensive

VTI
4.7%
IWS
4.8%

Energy

VTI
3.7%
IWS
7.7%

Real Estate

VTI
2.4%
IWS
8.2%

Utilities

VTI
2.3%
IWS
6.5%

Basic Materials

VTI
2.0%
IWS
5.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ
Often compared with IWS:
IWS vs. IWPIWS vs. IWNIWS vs. IMCVIWS vs. IWDIWS vs. FIMVXIWS vs. IVVIWS vs. VBR

Return for Risk

VTI vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
IWS
IWS Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTI vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

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.

VTIIWSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.97
2.05

-0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.67
2.91

-0.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.36

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.79

3.68

-0.89

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.52

13.82

-1.30

VTI vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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.

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Drawdowns

VTI vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and IWS.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTIIWSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.45%

-62.40%

+6.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-7.53%

-1.39%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.30%

-20.57%

+1.27%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-21.23%

-4.13%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.00%

-43.83%

+8.83%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.14%

0.00%

-2.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.02%

-8.01%

-0.01%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

2.00%

-0.01%

Volatility

VTI vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) have volatilities of 4.50% and 4.29%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

VTIIWSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.50%

4.29%

+0.21%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.82%

9.97%

-0.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.64%

13.53%

-0.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.47%

17.36%

+0.11%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.33%

19.37%

-1.04%

VTI vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IWS's 0.23% 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

VTI vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than IWS's 1.32% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWS
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF		1.32%1.53%1.50%1.76%1.93%1.39%1.87%1.97%2.53%1.96%2.10%2.14%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VTI and IWS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to IWS (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs IWS's -62.40%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 10.51% for IWS. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 10.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for IWS.

IWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IWS is Mid Cap Value Equities. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.23% for IWS.

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.97), 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.

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