WSML.L vs. IGLN.L

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WSML.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and IGLN.L (iShares Physical Gold ETC) are both exchange-traded funds - WSML.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Index, while IGLN.L is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WSML.L returned 6.95%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for IGLN.L. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WSML.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IGLN.L.

Performance

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) and iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSML.L achieves a 13.77% return, which is significantly higher than IGLN.L's 3.00% return.

WSML.L

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 13.77%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 32.37%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 6.95%
• 10Y*: —

IGLN.L

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -4.23%
• YTD: 3.00%
• 6M: 5.09%
• 1Y: 32.44%
• 3Y*: 31.11%
• 5Y*: 18.45%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

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

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	13.77%	19.94%	7.40%	17.06%	-18.62%	15.23%	16.50%	24.35%	-12.64%
IGLN.L iShares Physical Gold ETC	3.00%	64.92%	26.14%	13.44%	-0.09%	-4.03%	24.16%	18.28%	-3.16%

Correlation

The correlation between WSML.L and IGLN.L is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2018	0.17

The correlation between WSML.L and IGLN.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (all time) to 0.36 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSML.L

WSML.L Risk / Return Rank: 67
WSML.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
WSML.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
WSML.L Omega Ratio Rank: 62
WSML.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
WSML.L Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IGLN.L

IGLN.L Risk / Return Rank: 34
IGLN.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IGLN.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IGLN.L Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IGLN.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IGLN.L Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) and iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN.L). 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.

	WSML.L	IGLN.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.30	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	1.74	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	1.86	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	4.85	+8.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSML.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is higher than the IGLN.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSML.L and IGLN.L, 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

	WSML.L	IGLN.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	1.30	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	1.06	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.45	+0.01

Drawdowns

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSML.L drawdown since its inception was -41.14%, smaller than the maximum IGLN.L drawdown of -45.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSML.L and IGLN.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSML.L	IGLN.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.14%	-45.24%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-17.36%	+8.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-17.36%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.50%	-21.15%	-9.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.15%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-16.23%	+15.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-19.80%	+11.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	6.66%	-4.18%

Volatility

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) is 4.42%, while iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN.L) has a volatility of 6.40%. This indicates that WSML.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLN.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSML.L	IGLN.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	6.40%	-1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	21.73%	-10.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	24.79%	-10.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.48%	17.37%	+1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.60%	15.54%	+4.06%

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSML.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLN.L's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSML.L vs. IGLN.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither WSML.L nor IGLN.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSML.L and IGLN.L in my portfolio?

WSML.L and IGLN.L have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WSML.L or IGLN.L?

On fees, IGLN.L is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WSML.L or IGLN.L?

IGLN.L is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WSML.L.

What is the main difference between WSML.L and IGLN.L?

WSML.L is categorized as Global Equities, while IGLN.L is Gold. WSML.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Index, while IGLN.L tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WSML.L and 0.25% for IGLN.L.