WSCVX vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

WSCVX (Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - WSCVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Walthausen Funds, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past year, WSCVX returned 50.93% vs 44.01% for IWM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSCVX charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

WSCVX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund (WSCVX) 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, WSCVX achieves a 27.74% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 21.64% return.

WSCVX

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 8.06%
• YTD: 27.74%
• 6M: 24.90%
• 1Y: 50.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 21.64%
• 6M: 18.08%
• 1Y: 44.01%
• 3Y*: 19.60%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: 11.68%

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

WSCVX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WSCVX Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund	27.74%	13.80%	29.11%	7.98%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	21.64%	12.66%	11.38%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between WSCVX and IWM is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2023	0.92

The correlation between WSCVX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WSCVX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSCVX

WSCVX Risk / Return Rank: 90
WSCVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
WSCVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
WSCVX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
WSCVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
WSCVX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 72
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

WSCVX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund (WSCVX) 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.

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.

	WSCVX	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	2.24	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	3.05	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.36	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.64	4.01	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.48	14.19	+4.30

WSCVX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSCVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSCVX 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.

Drawdowns

WSCVX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSCVX drawdown since its inception was -22.34%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSCVX and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSCVX	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.34%	-59.05%	+36.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-11.03%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.50%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.20%	-10.75%	+6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	3.11%	-0.38%

Volatility

WSCVX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund (WSCVX) is 5.30%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that WSCVX 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

	WSCVX	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.30%	6.47%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	14.28%	-2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.88%	19.75%	-1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	22.60%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.07%	23.09%	-1.02%

WSCVX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSCVX has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSCVX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

WSCVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.36%, 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%
WSCVX Walthausen Small Cap Value Fund	10.36%	13.23%	28.71%	9.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSCVX and IWM in my portfolio?

WSCVX and IWM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WSCVX or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to WSCVX (5.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSCVX dropped -22.34% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSCVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.24), 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.