VYMI vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYMI returned 10.62%/yr vs 10.78%/yr for IWM. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VYMI charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

VYMI vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) 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, VYMI achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 15.62% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VYMI having a 10.62% annualized return and IWM not far ahead at 10.78%.

VYMI

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: 20.99%
• 5Y*: 11.79%
• 10Y*: 10.62%

IWM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 15.62%
• 6M: 13.83%
• 1Y: 35.52%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 10.78%

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

VYMI vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	10.04%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	15.62%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VYMI and IWM is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.69

The correlation between VYMI and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

VYMI vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VYMI	IWM
Financial Services	41.9%	15.6%
Energy	9.5%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.0%	2.1%
Basic Materials	6.8%	4.5%
Healthcare	6.6%	16.1%
Industrials	6.6%	17.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	7.9%
Utilities	5.6%	3.0%
Technology	4.3%	19.5%
Communication Services	4.0%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.3%	5.6%

Return for Risk

VYMI vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 69
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 63
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VYMI vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) 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.

	VYMI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.83	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.54	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.30	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	3.24	-0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	11.44	-0.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VYMI vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYMI 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

	VYMI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.83	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.24	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.47	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.36	+0.28

Drawdowns

VYMI vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYMI drawdown since its inception was -40.00%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYMI and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYMI	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.00%	-59.05%	+19.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.14%	-11.03%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.84%	-27.50%	+14.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.05%	-31.91%	+7.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.00%	-41.13%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.52%	-2.71%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.31%	-10.76%	+4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	3.11%	-0.53%

Volatility

VYMI vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) is 3.69%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.52%. This indicates that VYMI 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.

Volatility by Period

	VYMI	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	6.52%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	14.00%	-3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	19.53%	-6.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.87%	22.58%	-7.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.88%	23.07%	-6.19%

VYMI vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYMI has a 0.07% 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

VYMI vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

VYMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than IWM's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.48%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VYMI and IWM in my portfolio?

VYMI and IWM have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VYMI or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to VYMI (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYMI dropped -40.00% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, VYMI or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.78% vs 10.62% for VYMI. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 3.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VYMI or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.78% return vs 10.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VYMI or IWM?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VYMI or IWM?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 0.89% for IWM.

What is the main difference between VYMI and IWM?

VYMI is categorized as Dividend, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VYMI and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.83), 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.