AVUV vs IWO: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF against iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF, over the same 7 years (October 2019 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From October 2019 to October 2026, AVUV returned 14.8% a year and IWO 9.1% a year on average, so AVUV came out ahead by 5.7% a year. AVUV was the more volatile of the two (25.4% against 23.1% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 42.4% for AVUV and 33.5% for IWO.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.85: they usually moved together. Over 50 rolling 3-year periods, AVUV did better in 84% and IWO in 16%.
Side by side
| AVUV | IWO | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +14.8% | +9.1% |
| Total return | +166% | +86% |
| Annual volatility | 25.4% | 23.1% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −42.4% | −33.5% |
| Worst month | −28.9% | −19.6% |
| Best month | +20.5% | +17.7% |
| Positive months | 60% | 55% |
| Best year | 2021: +42.2% | 2020: +34.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −4.9% | 2022: −26.3% |
| 1-year return | +24.5% | +6.2% |
| 5 years, a year | +10.5% | +3.2% |
| 10 years, a year | — | +9.8% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 85 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: AVUV vs IWO
Returns by calendar year
| Year | AVUV | IWO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.4% | +12.9% |
| 2024 | +9.3% | +15.0% |
| 2023 | +22.8% | +18.5% |
| 2022 | −4.9% | −26.3% |
| 2021 | +42.2% | +2.5% |
| 2020 | +6.4% | +34.7% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, AVUV or IWO?
From October 2019 to October 2026, AVUV returned +14.8% a year and IWO +9.1% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods AVUV did better in 84% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, AVUV or IWO?
Over the same months annual volatility was 25.4% for AVUV and 23.1% for IWO; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 42.4% and 33.5%, and the worst single month −28.9% and −19.6%.
How correlated are AVUV and IWO?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.85: they usually moved together. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.