IWB vs VXF: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Russell 1000 ETF against Vanguard Extended Market ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, IWB returned 16.5% a year and VXF 14.6% a year on average, so IWB came out ahead by 2.0% a year. VXF was the more volatile of the two (20.5% against 15.6% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 24.6% for IWB and 33.2% for VXF.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.87: they usually moved together. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, IWB did better in 98% and VXF in 2%.
Side by side
| IWB | VXF | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +16.5% | +14.6% |
| Total return | +164% | +137% |
| Annual volatility | 15.6% | 20.5% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −24.6% | −33.2% |
| Worst month | −9.2% | −10.6% |
| Best month | +11.7% | +18.2% |
| Positive months | 63% | 59% |
| Best year | 2023: +26.4% | 2023: +25.5% |
| Worst year | 2022: −19.2% | 2022: −26.5% |
| 1-year return | +15.9% | +25.9% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.9% | +7.6% |
| 10 years, a year | +15.1% | — |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: IWB vs VXF
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IWB | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.2% | +11.4% |
| 2024 | +24.3% | +16.9% |
| 2023 | +26.4% | +25.5% |
| 2022 | −19.2% | −26.5% |
| 2021 | +26.3% | +12.3% |
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, IWB or VXF?
From July 2020 to October 2026, IWB returned +16.5% a year and VXF +14.6% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods IWB did better in 98% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IWB or VXF?
Over the same months annual volatility was 15.6% for IWB and 20.5% for VXF; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 24.6% and 33.2%, and the worst single month −9.2% and −10.6%.
How correlated are IWB and VXF?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.87: 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.