WSML.L vs. LGUS.L
WSML.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and LGUS.L (L&G US Equity UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) are both exchange-traded funds - WSML.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Index, while LGUS.L is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Solactive Core United States Large & Mid Cap Index NTR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WSML.L returned 7.83%/yr vs 12.84%/yr for LGUS.L. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSML.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for LGUS.L.
Performance
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, WSML.L achieves a 14.65% return, which is significantly higher than LGUS.L's 10.45% return.
WSML.L
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- -0.86%
- 6M
- 8.10%
- YTD
- 14.65%
- 1Y
- 28.20%
- 3Y*
- 15.82%
- 5Y*
- 7.83%
- 10Y*
- —
LGUS.L
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.62%
- 6M
- 9.15%
- YTD
- 10.45%
- 1Y
- 22.44%
- 3Y*
- 20.44%
- 5Y*
- 12.84%
- 10Y*
- —
WSML.L vs. LGUS.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) | 14.65% | 19.95% | 7.38% | 17.11% | -18.62% | 15.23% | 16.50% | 24.35% | -11.12% |
LGUS.L L&G US Equity UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | 10.45% | 17.98% | 25.09% | 28.66% | -20.46% | 27.91% | 21.16% | 30.91% | -9.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between WSML.L and LGUS.L is 0.78, 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 | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2018 | 0.83 |
The correlation between WSML.L and LGUS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L — Risk / Return Rank
WSML.L
LGUS.L
WSML.L vs. LGUS.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 L&G US Equity UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (LGUS.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.
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.
| WSML.L | LGUS.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.32 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.10 | 2.61 | +0.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.20 | 10.04 | +1.16 |
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Drawdowns
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum WSML.L drawdown since its inception was -41.14%, which is greater than LGUS.L's maximum drawdown of -34.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSML.L and LGUS.L.
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Drawdown Indicators
| WSML.L | LGUS.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.14% | -34.26% | -6.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.05% | -8.58% | -0.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.10% | -19.46% | -0.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.50% | -25.64% | -4.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.61% | -0.39% | -1.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.67% | -5.30% | -3.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.51% | 2.23% | +0.28% |
Volatility
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to L&G US Equity UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (LGUS.L) at 2.87%. This indicates that WSML.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LGUS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| WSML.L | LGUS.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.08% | 2.87% | +1.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.94% | 9.41% | +2.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.17% | 12.47% | +2.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.55% | 16.51% | +2.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.52% | 18.10% | +1.42% |
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison
WSML.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than LGUS.L's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
WSML.L vs. LGUS.L - Dividend Comparison
Neither WSML.L nor LGUS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
WSML.L and LGUS.L have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, LGUS.L is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
LGUS.L is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WSML.L.
WSML.L is categorized as Global Equities, while LGUS.L is Large Cap Blend Equities. WSML.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Index, while LGUS.L tracks Solactive Core United States Large & Mid Cap Index NTR. They also come from different issuers: iShares and L&G. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WSML.L and 0.05% for LGUS.L.
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