The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VBK) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. IWD is a iShares Large Value fund and VBK is a Vanguard Small Growth fund. So, what’s the difference between IWD and VBK? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of IWD is 0.12 percentage points higher than VBK’s (0.19% vs. 0.07%). IWD also has a higher exposure to the financial services sector and a lower standard deviation. Overall, IWD has provided lower returns than VBK over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare IWD vs. VBK. We’ll look at fund composition and annual returns, as well as at their risk metrics and portfolio growth. Moreover, I’ll also discuss IWD’s and VBK’s industry exposure, holdings, and performance and examine how these affect their overall returns.
Summary
| IWD | VBK | |
| Name | iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF | Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares |
| Category | Large Value | Small Growth |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| AUM | 54.1B | 37.89B |
| Avg. Return | 11.40% | 16.53% |
| Div. Yield | 1.57% | 0.45% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.07% |
The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) is a Large Value fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 54.1B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 11.40% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.57% with an expense ratio of 0.19%.
The Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VBK) is a Small Growth fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 37.89B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 16.53% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 0.45% with an expense ratio of 0.07%.
IWD’s dividend yield is 1.12% higher than that of VBK (1.57% vs. 0.45%). Also, IWD yielded on average 5.13% less per year over the past decade (11.40% vs. 16.53%). The expense ratio of IWD is 0.12 percentage points higher than VBK’s (0.19% vs. 0.07%).
Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| IWD | VBK | |
| Technology | 10.28% | 27.87% |
| Industrials | 11.77% | 13.19% |
| Energy | 4.76% | 1.77% |
| Communication Services | 8.67% | 3.24% |
| Utilities | 4.88% | 0.32% |
| Healthcare | 17.78% | 23.24% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.76% | 3.83% |
| Real Estate | 4.94% | 7.87% |
| Financial Services | 20.43% | 4.05% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 5.62% | 12.13% |
| Basic Materials | 3.1% | 2.49% |
The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) has the most exposure to the Financial Services sector at 20.43%. This is followed by Healthcare and Industrials at 17.78% and 11.77% respectively. Energy (4.76%), Utilities (4.88%), and Real Estate (4.94%) only make up 14.58% of the fund’s total assets.
IWD’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Defensive, Communication Services, Technology, and Industrials stocks at 5.62%, 7.76%, 8.67%, 10.28%, and 11.77%.
The Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VBK) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 27.87%. This is followed by Healthcare and Industrials at 23.24% and 13.19% respectively. Energy (1.77%), Basic Materials (2.49%), and Communication Services (3.24%) only make up 7.50% of the fund’s total assets.
VBK’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Consumer Defensive, Financial Services, Real Estate, Consumer Cyclical, and Industrials stocks at 3.83%, 4.05%, 7.87%, 12.13%, and 13.19%.
IWD is 16.38% more exposed to the Financial Services sector than VBK (20.43% vs 4.05%). IWD’s exposure to Healthcare and Industrials stocks is 5.46% lower and 1.42% lower respectively (17.78% vs. 23.24% and 11.77% vs. 13.19%). In total, Energy, Utilities, and Real Estate also make up 4.62% more of the fund’s holdings compared to VBK (14.58% vs. 9.96%).
Holdings
| IWD Holdings | Weight |
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B | 2.58% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co | 2.25% |
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.24% |
| UnitedHealth Group Inc | 1.78% |
| Procter & Gamble Co | 1.71% |
| The Walt Disney Co | 1.5% |
| Bank of America Corp | 1.43% |
| Comcast Corp Class A | 1.33% |
| Exxon Mobil Corp | 1.2% |
| Pfizer Inc | 1.18% |
IWD’s Top Holdings are Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Johnson & Johnson, UnitedHealth Group Inc, and Procter & Gamble Co at 2.58%, 2.25%, 2.24%, 1.78%, and 1.71%.
The Walt Disney Co (1.5%), Bank of America Corp (1.43%), and Comcast Corp Class A (1.33%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. Exxon Mobil Corp and Pfizer Inc are also represented in the IWD’s holdings at 1.2% and 1.18%.
| VBK Holdings | Weight |
| Charles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.78% |
| Pool Corp | 0.73% |
| Bio-Techne Corp | 0.73% |
| Avantor Inc | 0.73% |
| PerkinElmer Inc | 0.72% |
| Entegris Inc | 0.7% |
| PTC Inc | 0.62% |
| Fair Isaac Corp | 0.57% |
| Bill.com Holdings Inc Ordinary Shares | 0.56% |
| Avalara Inc | 0.55% |
VBK’s Top Holdings are Charles River Laboratories International Inc, Pool Corp, Bio-Techne Corp, Avantor Inc, and PerkinElmer Inc at 0.78%, 0.73%, 0.73%, 0.73%, and 0.72%.
Entegris Inc (0.7%), PTC Inc (0.62%), and Fair Isaac Corp (0.57%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. Bill.com Holdings Inc Ordinary Shares and Avalara Inc are also represented in the VBK’s holdings at 0.56% and 0.55%.
Risk Analysis
| IWD | VBK | |
| Mean Return | 1.03 | 1.22 |
| R-squared | 92.38 | 80.56 |
| Std. Deviation | 14.35 | 17.95 |
| Alpha | -3.23 | -2.81 |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.18 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.81 | 0.78 |
| Treynor Ratio | 11.06 | 11.18 |
The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) has a Treynor Ratio of 11.06 with a Mean Return of 1.03 and a Alpha of -3.23. Its Beta is 1.02 while IWD’s R-squared is 92.38. Furthermore, the fund has a Sharpe Ratio of 0.81 and a Standard Deviation of 14.35.
The Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VBK) has a Sharpe Ratio of 0.78 with a Treynor Ratio of 11.18 and a Standard Deviation of 17.95. Its R-squared is 80.56 while VBK’s Alpha is -2.81. Furthermore, the fund has a Mean Return of 1.22 and a Beta of 1.18.
IWD’s Mean Return is 0.19 points lower than that of VBK and its R-squared is 11.82 points higher. With a Standard Deviation of 14.35, IWD is slightly less volatile than VBK. The Alpha and Beta of IWD are 0.42 points lower and 0.16 points lower than VBK’s Alpha and Beta.
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | IWD | VBK |
| 2020 | 2.67% | 35.29% |
| 2019 | 26.34% | 32.75% |
| 2018 | -8.4% | -5.68% |
| 2017 | 13.47% | 21.9% |
| 2016 | 17.09% | 10.74% |
| 2015 | -3.95% | -2.51% |
| 2014 | 13.21% | 4.02% |
| 2013 | 32.18% | 38.18% |
| 2012 | 17.28% | 17.67% |
| 2011 | 0.21% | -1.43% |
| 2010 | 15.3% | 30.87% |
IWD had its best year in 2013 with an annual return of 32.18%. IWD’s worst year over the past decade yielded -8.4% and occurred in 2018. In most years the iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF provided moderate returns such as in 2014, 2017, and 2010 where annual returns amounted to 13.21%, 13.47%, and 15.3% respectively.
The year 2013 was the strongest year for VBK, returning 38.18% on an annual basis. The poorest year for VBK in the last ten years was 2018, with a yield of -5.68%. Most years the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares has given investors modest returns, such as in 2016, 2012, and 2017, when gains were 10.74%, 17.67%, and 21.9% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| IWD | $10,000 | $30,746 | 11.40% |
| VBK | $10,000 | $48,639 | 16.53% |
A $10,000 investment in IWD would have resulted in a final balance of $30,746. This is a profit of $20,746 over 11 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.40%.
With a $10,000 investment in VBK, the end total would have been $48,639. This equates to a $38,639 profit over 11 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.53%.
IWD’s CAGR is 5.13 percentage points lower than that of VBK and as a result, would have yielded $17,893 less on a $10,000 investment. Thus, IWD performed worse than VBK by 5.13% annually.
Current recommendations:
Over the past years, I have discovered several tools and products that have helped me tremendously on my path to financial freedom:
P.S.: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you sign up for one of the services. Thank you for your support!
1)Personal Capital is simply the best tool out there to track your net worth and plan for financial freedom. Just their retirement planner alone has become an invaluable tool to keep myself on track financially. Try it out, it's free!
2) Take a look at M1 Finance, my favorite broker. I love how easy it is to invest and maintain my portfolio with them. I can set up automatic transfers, rebalance my portfolio with one click and even borrow up to 35% of my assets at super low interest rates!
3) Fundrise is by far the best way I've found to invest in Real Estate. You can diversify your portfolio by investing in their eREITs or even allocate capital to individual properties (without the hassle of managing tenants!).
4) Groundfloor is another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector by investing in short-term, high-yield real estate debt. Current returns are >10% and you can get started with just $10.
5) If you are interested in startup investing, check out Mainvest. I've started allocating a small amount of assets to invest in and support small businesses. Return targets are between 10-25% and you can start with just $100!
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out the Recommended Tools section.
I believe that money is just a means to an end: to be free to spend your time as you wish, to maximize your positive impact on the world.
