VBR vs IWO: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF against iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, VBR returned 15.6% a year and IWO 8.9% a year on average, so VBR came out ahead by 6.7% a year. IWO was the more volatile of the two (21.7% against 18.6% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 18.7% for VBR and 33.5% for IWO.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.87: they usually moved together. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VBR did better in 63% and IWO in 37%.
Side by side
| VBR | IWO | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +15.6% | +8.9% |
| Total return | +151% | +72% |
| Annual volatility | 18.6% | 21.7% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −18.7% | −33.5% |
| Worst month | −10.3% | −13.4% |
| Best month | +17.4% | +17.7% |
| Positive months | 62% | 54% |
| Best year | 2021: +28.1% | 2023: +18.5% |
| Worst year | 2022: −9.4% | 2022: −26.3% |
| 1-year return | +16.8% | +6.2% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.2% | +3.2% |
| 10 years, a year | — | +9.8% |
| 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: VBR vs IWO
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VBR | IWO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +9.1% | +12.9% |
| 2024 | +12.4% | +15.0% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | +18.5% |
| 2022 | −9.4% | −26.3% |
| 2021 | +28.1% | +2.5% |
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, VBR or IWO?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VBR returned +15.6% a year and IWO +8.9% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods VBR did better in 63% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VBR or IWO?
Over the same months annual volatility was 18.6% for VBR and 21.7% for IWO; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 18.7% and 33.5%, and the worst single month −10.3% and −13.4%.
How correlated are VBR and IWO?
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.