XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XSX6.L (Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1C) and WLDS.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XSX6.L is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Europe NR EUR, while WLDS.L is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Inde. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSX6.L returned 9.90%/yr vs 8.13%/yr for WLDS.L. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XSX6.L charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for WLDS.L.

Performance

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1C (XSX6.L) and iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

XSX6.L is traded in GBp, while WLDS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the WLDS.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSX6.L achieves a 7.85% return, which is significantly lower than WLDS.L's 15.41% return.

XSX6.L

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 6M: 9.56%
• 1Y: 21.07%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 9.90%
• 10Y*: 10.94%

WLDS.L

• 1D: 2.23%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 15.41%
• 6M: 14.39%
• 1Y: 34.08%
• 3Y*: 14.50%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XSX6.L Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1C	7.85%	26.36%	3.77%	13.18%	-4.98%	16.80%	3.80%	20.52%	-2.09%
WLDS.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF	15.41%	11.75%	8.63%	11.26%	-8.89%	16.71%	12.54%	20.41%	-31.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XSX6.L and WLDS.L is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018	0.77

The correlation between XSX6.L and WLDS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSX6.L	WLDS.L
Financial Services	24.2%	13.2%
Industrials	20.5%	19.7%
Healthcare	12.8%	10.0%
Technology	8.5%	16.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.5%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	10.6%
Energy	5.8%	4.8%
Basic Materials	5.0%	8.0%
Utilities	4.7%	2.7%
Communication Services	3.0%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.3%	8.0%

Return for Risk

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSX6.L

XSX6.L Risk / Return Rank: 51
XSX6.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XSX6.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
XSX6.L Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XSX6.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
XSX6.L Martin Ratio Rank: 46

WLDS.L

WLDS.L Risk / Return Rank: 87
WLDS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
WLDS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
WLDS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 86
WLDS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
WLDS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1C (XSX6.L) and iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.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.

	XSX6.L	WLDS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.58	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.66	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	4.23	-2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.80	15.95	-9.14

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSX6.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the WLDS.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSX6.L and WLDS.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.

Drawdowns

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSX6.L drawdown since its inception was -29.35%, smaller than the maximum WLDS.L drawdown of -43.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSX6.L and WLDS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSX6.L	WLDS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.35%	-43.18%	+13.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-7.86%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.63%	-21.53%	+8.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.17%	-21.53%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.23%	-12.28%	+6.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	2.09%	+0.83%

Volatility

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1C (XSX6.L) is 3.41%, while iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.L) has a volatility of 4.13%. This indicates that XSX6.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WLDS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSX6.L	WLDS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	4.13%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.33%	9.74%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.26%	12.93%	-0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	20.30%	-4.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.84%	22.45%	-6.61%

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSX6.L has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than WLDS.L's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSX6.L vs. WLDS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither XSX6.L nor WLDS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSX6.L and WLDS.L in my portfolio?

XSX6.L and WLDS.L have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XSX6.L or WLDS.L?

On fees, XSX6.L is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSX6.L or WLDS.L?

XSX6.L is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WLDS.L.

What is the main difference between XSX6.L and WLDS.L?

XSX6.L is categorized as Europe Equities, while WLDS.L is Small Cap Blend Equities. XSX6.L tracks MSCI Europe NR EUR, while WLDS.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Inde. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XSX6.L and 0.35% for WLDS.L.