IWN vs VYM
iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWN or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWN led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. IWN is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | IWN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $14.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.44% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,408 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.50%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +27.49%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.04%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.50% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,037 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
IWN vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
IWN vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IWN returned +27.49% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IWN is up 20.50% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, IWN compounded at +18.04% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.50% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +5.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -62.9% for IWN and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWN charges 0.24% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $4 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWN currently yields 1.44% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.7% of IWN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IWN also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
159 positions in common, counted across the 1,384 positions we hold weights for in IWN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,408 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 417 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWN (95.3% of the fund), and 1,077 for IWN that do not appear in VYM (65.6%).
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 IWN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp | 0.64% | 0.04% | 0.60% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 0.53% | 0.04% | 0.49% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 0.48% | 0.03% | 0.45% |
| SWXSouthwest Gas Corp. | 0.43% | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.43% | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 0.43% | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| HWCHancock Whitney Corp Common Stock Usd3.33 | 0.42% | 0.03% | 0.39% |
| AUBAtlantic Union Bankshares Corp Common Stock USD 1.33 | 0.39% | 0.02% | 0.37% |
| GATXGatx Corp_None_0 | 0.38% | 0.03% | 0.35% |
30.7% of IWN is already inside VYM.
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, IWN or VYM?
IWN has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWN or VYM?
Over the past year IWN returned +27.49% vs +17.82% for VYM, so IWN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IWN annualized +5.74% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWN or VYM?
IWN has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWN -62.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IWN and VYM?
IWN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 IWN and VYM?
30.7% of IWN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's is in holdings IWN also owns. They hold 159 positions in common, counted across the 1,384 positions we hold weights for in IWN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWN or VYM?
IWN yields 1.44% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWN led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. IWN is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.