IWMW vs VXUS
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IWMW or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IWMW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 20.34% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 4 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.15% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.74% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.8% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $11,185 | $15,529Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.5 years).
IWMW vs VXUS 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
IWMW vs VXUS Performance
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IWMW returned +0.74% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, IWMW is down 1.15% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWMW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.4% for VXUS. 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 -21.8% for IWMW and -13.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWMW charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWMW currently yields 20.34% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in IWMW and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 101.1% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in IWMW and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 4 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWMW and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IWMW or VXUS?
IWMW has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWMW or VXUS?
Over the past year IWMW returned +0.74% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWMW or VXUS?
IWMW has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IWMW -21.8% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both IWMW and VXUS?
IWMW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWMW or VXUS?
IWMW yields 20.34% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IWMW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IWMW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.