Dividend comparison
IWM vs AVUV: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IWM vs AVUV: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. IWM is cheaper at 0.19% a year versus 0.25% for AVUV. On $10,000 that is $6 a year less in fees.
- Income. AVUV pays more income, yielding 1.26% over the last twelve months versus 0.99% for IWM. That is about $27 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, AVUV returned 62.8% versus 28.7% for IWM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $16,281 in AVUV and $12,869 in IWM.
- Risk. IWM has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -31.9%, against -28.8% for AVUV.
- Diversification. IWM holds 1,981 positions and AVUV holds 794.
- Dividend growth. AVUV grew its yearly payout 12.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for IWM.
- Size. IWM is the larger fund with $74.9 billion in assets, against $31.1 billion for AVUV.
Bottom line: IWM fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. AVUV fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.99% | 1.26% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.73 | $1.52 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.7504 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.4142 on Sep 10, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 12.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $275.78 | $120.95 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 5 years |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -31.9% | -28.8% |
| Market cap | $77.59B | $31.17B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.19% | 0.25% |
| Assets under management | $74.85B | $31.07B |
| Number of holdings | 1981 | 794 |
| Top 10 concentration | 3.3% | — |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IWM
$8.25/mo
$99 /yr at 0.99% yield
AVUV
$10.46/mo
$126 /yr at 1.26% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IWM pays quarterly; AVUV pays quarterly.
| Year | IWM | AVUV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.5547 | $1.6123 |
| 2024 | $2.5305 | $1.5562 |
| 2023 | $2.7021 | $1.4848 |
| 2022 | $2.5850 | $1.2958 |
| 2021 | $2.0900 | $1.0195 |
Strategy: Small and mid cap
Funds that hold companies below the large-cap tier, where there is more room for growth and less coverage by analysts. Small-cap indexes differ meaningfully: some screen for profitability, some include every listed company, and value-tilted funds lean toward the cheapest names. Those rules drive more of the difference between funds than fees do.
Smaller companies are more sensitive to recessions and borrowing costs, so drawdowns run deeper than in large-cap funds.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,869 in IWM and $16,281 in AVUV.
| Period | IWM | AVUV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.93% | -0.83% |
| 3 months | -5.41% | -3.51% |
| Year to date | 12.79% | 18.60% |
| 1 year | 12.26% | 22.73% |
| 3 years | 70.87% | 68.01% |
| 5 years | 28.69% | 62.81% |
- IWM
- AVUV
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IWM
- AVUV
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
IWM fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. AVUV fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IWM vs AVUV fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IWM or AVUV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IWM currently yields 0.99% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while AVUV yields 1.26%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IWM and AVUV?
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IWM or AVUV?
IWM has the lower expense ratio. IWM charges 0.19% a year and AVUV charges 0.25%, a difference of $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IWM or AVUV?
Over the last 5 years, AVUV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IWM returned 28.7% and AVUV returned 62.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IWM or AVUV?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IWM has been riskier: IWM fell as much as 31.9% and AVUV as much as 28.8%. Their betas are 1.14 and 1.03.
How often do IWM and AVUV pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.7504 for IWM and $0.4142 for AVUV.
How much income does $10,000 in IWM vs AVUV generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IWM would generate roughly $8.25 per month ($99 annually). The same amount in AVUV would produce about $10.46 per month ($126 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IWM and AVUV?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IWM vs AVUV with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IWM and AVUV fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.