IWC vs VTI
iShares Microcap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IWC or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IWC led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. IWC is less concentrated, with 5.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IWC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,380 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.38%Best | +11.95% |
| 1Y Return | +25.52%Best | +15.05% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.84%Best | +22.32% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.33% | +12.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,592 | $18,020Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 12, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 16, 2005 to Sep 30, 2026 (21.1 years).
IWC vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 21.1 years both funds cover.
IWC vs VTI Performance
iShares Microcap ETF (IWC) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IWC returned +25.52% while VTI returned +15.05%. Year to date, IWC is up 17.38% versus a gain of 11.95% for VTI.
Over three years, IWC compounded at +24.84% per year against +22.32% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.33% and +12.50% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.44% annualized vs +6.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 15.5% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -65.2% for IWC and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWC charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWC currently yields 1.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.3% of IWC's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of IWC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,223 positions in common, counted across the 1,353 positions we hold weights for in IWC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,380 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,141 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IWC (97.4% of the fund), and 65 for IWC that do not appear in VTI (4.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OUSTOuster Inc_None_None | 0.68% | 0.00% | 0.68% |
| PENG:KYPenguin Solutions Inc | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| CDNACaredx Inc | 0.54% | 0.00% | 0.54% |
| NRIXNurix Therapeutics Inc | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.53% |
| INODInnodata Inc | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
| SLSSellas Life Sciences Group Inc. | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
| MBXMbx Biosciences Inc | 0.49% | 0.00% | 0.49% |
| TILEInterface Inc | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| VRDNViridian Therapeutics Inc | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| BFLYButterfly Network, Inc. | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.42% |
93.3% of IWC is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IWC or VTI?
IWC has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWC or VTI?
Over the past year IWC returned +25.52% vs +15.05% for VTI, so IWC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), IWC annualized +6.72% vs +9.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWC or VTI?
IWC has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IWC -65.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IWC and VTI?
IWC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IWC and VTI?
93.3% of IWC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings IWC also owns. They hold 1,223 positions in common, counted across the 1,353 positions we hold weights for in IWC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWC or VTI?
IWC yields 1.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IWC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IWC led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. IWC is less concentrated, with 5.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.