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VWRL.L vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VWRL.L vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VWRL.L (Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWRL.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWRL.L returned 13.37%/yr vs 11.52%/yr for IWM. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.19% expense ratio.

Performance

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Different Trading Currencies

VWRL.L is traded in GBP, while IWM is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the IWM values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWRL.L achieves a 10.38% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 16.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VWRL.L has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 13.37%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.52% annualized return.

VWRL.L

1D
-0.21%
1M
2.33%
YTD
10.38%
6M
10.56%
1Y
27.51%
3Y*
17.75%
5Y*
12.03%
10Y*
13.37%

IWM

1D
0.84%
1M
2.14%
YTD
16.75%
6M
13.64%
1Y
37.38%
3Y*
14.36%
5Y*
6.67%
10Y*
11.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VWRL.L
Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing		10.38%13.99%19.60%15.61%-8.44%20.05%12.13%22.04%-4.71%13.21%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		16.75%4.63%13.33%10.99%-11.03%15.62%16.51%20.62%-5.85%4.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VWRL.L and IWM is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.47

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

0.48

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

0.49

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

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2012

0.55

The correlation between VWRL.L and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VWRL.L
IWM

Technology

29.5%
19.5%

Financial Services

16.2%
15.6%

Industrials

10.4%
17.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.2%
7.9%

Communication Services

8.7%
2.1%

Healthcare

8.0%
16.1%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
2.1%

Energy

4.2%
5.8%

Basic Materials

3.8%
4.5%

Utilities

2.9%
3.0%

Real Estate

1.8%
5.6%

Technology

VWRL.L
29.5%
IWM
19.5%

Financial Services

VWRL.L
16.2%
IWM
15.6%

Industrials

VWRL.L
10.4%
IWM
17.2%

Consumer Cyclical

VWRL.L
9.2%
IWM
7.9%

Communication Services

VWRL.L
8.7%
IWM
2.1%

Healthcare

VWRL.L
8.0%
IWM
16.1%

Consumer Defensive

VWRL.L
5.0%
IWM
2.1%

Energy

VWRL.L
4.2%
IWM
5.8%

Basic Materials

VWRL.L
3.8%
IWM
4.5%

Utilities

VWRL.L
2.9%
IWM
3.0%

Real Estate

VWRL.L
1.8%
IWM
5.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with VWRL.L:
VWRL.L vs. ACWIVWRL.L vs. VHYL.ASVWRL.L vs. VHVG.LVWRL.L vs. VUSA.LVWRL.L vs. VOOVWRL.L vs. VHYG.LVWRL.L vs. VEVE.L
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWO

Return for Risk

VWRL.L vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VWRL.L
VWRL.L Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
VWRL.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWRL.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 8888
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWRL.L Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
VWRL.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWRL.L Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) 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.

VWRL.LIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.63
2.06

+0.57

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.64
2.78

+0.86

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.50

1.35

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.87

4.17

-0.31

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

15.69

13.73

+1.95

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWRL.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWRL.L 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VWRL.LIWMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.63

2.06

+0.57

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.94

0.32

+0.62

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.94

0.51

+0.42

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.93

0.43

+0.50

Drawdowns

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWRL.L drawdown since its inception was -24.99%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -40.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWRL.L and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

VWRL.LIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.99%

-40.47%

+15.48%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.08%

-9.00%

+1.92%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.47%

-28.81%

+11.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.47%

-28.81%

+11.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.99%

-35.76%

+10.77%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.81%

-2.12%

+0.31%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.32%

-8.62%

+5.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.75%

2.73%

-0.98%

Volatility

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) is 2.99%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.88%. This indicates that VWRL.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VWRL.LIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.99%

5.88%

-2.89%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.71%

12.77%

-5.06%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.43%

18.23%

-7.80%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.86%

21.06%

-8.20%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.25%

22.53%

-8.28%

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VWRL.L and IWM have an expense ratio of 0.19%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VWRL.L vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

VWRL.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, more than IWM's 0.89% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.89%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
VWRL.L
Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing		1.26%1.39%1.49%1.72%2.03%1.45%1.58%1.95%2.22%1.90%1.95%2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VWRL.L and IWM have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Both ETFs have the same 0.19% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VWRL.L and IWM have the same expense ratio: 0.19% per year.

VWRL.L is categorized as Global Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. VWRL.L tracks FTSE All-World Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.

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