VTWO vs. ISCB
VTWO (Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF) and ISCB (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - VTWO tracks the Russell 2000 Index while ISCB tracks the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTWO returned 11.07%/yr vs 9.30%/yr for ISCB. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTWO charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ISCB.
Performance
VTWO vs. ISCB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTWO achieves a 17.08% return, which is significantly higher than ISCB's 11.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VTWO has outperformed ISCB with an annualized return of 11.07%, while ISCB has yielded a comparatively lower 9.30% annualized return.
VTWO
- 1D
- -1.38%
- 1M
- 3.51%
- YTD
- 17.08%
- 6M
- 15.89%
- 1Y
- 39.34%
- 3Y*
- 18.11%
- 5Y*
- 6.28%
- 10Y*
- 11.07%
ISCB
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- 2.77%
- YTD
- 11.43%
- 6M
- 11.42%
- 1Y
- 29.48%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- 5.72%
- 10Y*
- 9.30%
VTWO vs. ISCB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 17.08% | 12.90% | 11.55% | 17.08% | -20.49% | 14.79% | 20.22% | 25.81% | -11.15% | 14.69% |
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 11.43% | 12.46% | 10.90% | 19.51% | -19.04% | 17.46% | 6.29% | 29.42% | -13.92% | 12.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTWO and ISCB is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VTWO and ISCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
VTWO vs. ISCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VTWO
ISCB
Industrials
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Energy
Basic Materials
Utilities
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Industrials
VTWO
ISCB
Technology
VTWO
ISCB
Healthcare
VTWO
ISCB
Financial Services
VTWO
ISCB
Consumer Cyclical
VTWO
ISCB
Real Estate
VTWO
ISCB
Energy
VTWO
ISCB
Basic Materials
VTWO
ISCB
Utilities
VTWO
ISCB
Communication Services
VTWO
ISCB
Consumer Defensive
VTWO
ISCB
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Return for Risk
VTWO vs. ISCB — Risk / Return Rank
VTWO
ISCB
VTWO vs. ISCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). 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.
| VTWO | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.31 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.60 | 3.15 | +0.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.79 | 11.26 | +1.53 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VTWO | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07 | 1.80 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | 0.27 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.48 | 0.41 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 0.38 | +0.14 |
Drawdowns
VTWO vs. ISCB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTWO drawdown since its inception was -41.19%, smaller than the maximum ISCB drawdown of -61.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWO and ISCB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTWO | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.19% | -61.25% | +20.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.99% | -9.39% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.57% | -26.22% | -1.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.88% | -29.94% | -1.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.19% | -44.18% | +2.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.50% | -0.67% | -0.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.39% | -9.80% | +1.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.08% | 2.63% | +0.45% |
Volatility
VTWO vs. ISCB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) at 4.28%. This indicates that VTWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTWO | ISCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.73% | 4.28% | +1.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.50% | 11.43% | +2.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.12% | 16.51% | +2.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.48% | 21.39% | +1.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.08% | 22.68% | +0.40% |
VTWO vs. ISCB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTWO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCB's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTWO vs. ISCB - Dividend Comparison
VTWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than ISCB's 1.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 1.27% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.49% | 1.63% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.25% | 1.60% | 1.24% | 1.58% | 1.40% |
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 1.08% | 1.25% | 1.21% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.13% | 0.92% | 1.36% | 1.41% | 1.18% | 1.27% | 1.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VTWO and ISCB 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.
VTWO has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to ISCB (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWO dropped -41.19% vs ISCB's -61.25%.
On 10-year performance, VTWO leads with 11.07% vs 9.30% for ISCB. On fees, ISCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ISCB has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTWO has performed better with a 11.07% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VTWO.
ISCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 1.08% for VTWO.
VTWO tracks Russell 2000 Index, while ISCB tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VTWO and 0.04% for ISCB.
VTWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.80), 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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