The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) and the iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. IWR is a iShares Mid-Cap Blend fund and EFV is a iShares Foreign Large Value fund. So, what’s the difference between IWR and EFV? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of IWR is 0.20 percentage points lower than EFV’s (0.19% vs. 0.39%). IWR also has a higher exposure to the technology sector and a lower standard deviation. Overall, IWR has provided higher returns than EFV over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare IWR vs. EFV. We’ll look at industry exposure and fund composition, as well as at their annual returns and portfolio growth. Moreover, I’ll also discuss IWR’s and EFV’s performance, risk metrics, and holdings and examine how these affect their overall returns.
Summary
| IWR | EFV | |
| Name | iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF | iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF |
| Category | Mid-Cap Blend | Foreign Large Value |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| AUM | 29.84B | 14.37B |
| Avg. Return | 14.15% | 3.99% |
| Div. Yield | 0.99% | 2.94% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.39% |
The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) is a Mid-Cap Blend fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 29.84B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 14.15% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 0.99% with an expense ratio of 0.19%.
The iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) is a Foreign Large Value fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 14.37B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 3.99% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 2.94% with an expense ratio of 0.39%.
IWR’s dividend yield is 1.95% lower than that of EFV (0.99% vs. 2.94%). Also, IWR yielded on average 10.16% more per year over the past decade (14.15% vs. 3.99%). The expense ratio of IWR is 0.20 percentage points lower than EFV’s (0.19% vs. 0.39%).
Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| IWR | EFV | |
| Technology | 19.67% | 2.98% |
| Industrials | 14.54% | 11.6% |
| Energy | 3.48% | 6.6% |
| Communication Services | 4.64% | 6.46% |
| Utilities | 4.46% | 6.14% |
| Healthcare | 11.76% | 9.19% |
| Consumer Defensive | 3.82% | 6.82% |
| Real Estate | 8.31% | 5.06% |
| Financial Services | 11.64% | 26.55% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 13.59% | 9.0% |
| Basic Materials | 4.1% | 9.59% |
The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 19.67%. This is followed by Industrials and Consumer Cyclical at 14.54% and 13.59% respectively. Consumer Defensive (3.82%), Basic Materials (4.1%), and Utilities (4.46%) only make up 12.38% of the fund’s total assets.
IWR’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Communication Services, Real Estate, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Consumer Cyclical stocks at 4.64%, 8.31%, 11.64%, 11.76%, and 13.59%.
The iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) has the most exposure to the Financial Services sector at 26.55%. This is followed by Industrials and Basic Materials at 11.6% and 9.59% respectively. Real Estate (5.06%), Utilities (6.14%), and Communication Services (6.46%) only make up 17.66% of the fund’s total assets.
EFV’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Energy, Consumer Defensive, Consumer Cyclical, Healthcare, and Basic Materials stocks at 6.6%, 6.82%, 9.0%, 9.19%, and 9.59%.
IWR is 16.69% more exposed to the Technology sector than EFV (19.67% vs 2.98%). IWR’s exposure to Industrials and Consumer Cyclical stocks is 2.94% higher and 4.59% higher respectively (14.54% vs. 11.6% and 13.59% vs. 9.0%). In total, Consumer Defensive, Basic Materials, and Utilities also make up 10.17% less of the fund’s holdings compared to EFV (12.38% vs. 22.55%).
Holdings
| IWR Holdings | Weight |
| IDEXX Laboratories Inc | 0.51% |
| DocuSign Inc | 0.51% |
| Twitter Inc | 0.48% |
| Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc | 0.47% |
| Roku Inc Class A | 0.44% |
| Marvell Technology Inc | 0.44% |
| DexCom Inc | 0.44% |
| Trane Technologies PLC | 0.43% |
| MSCI Inc | 0.43% |
| Carrier Global Corp Ordinary Shares | 0.43% |
IWR’s Top Holdings are IDEXX Laboratories Inc, DocuSign Inc, Twitter Inc, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc, and Roku Inc Class A at 0.51%, 0.51%, 0.48%, 0.47%, and 0.44%.
Marvell Technology Inc (0.44%), DexCom Inc (0.44%), and Trane Technologies PLC (0.43%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. MSCI Inc and Carrier Global Corp Ordinary Shares are also represented in the IWR’s holdings at 0.43% and 0.43%.
| EFV Holdings | Weight |
| Novartis AG | 2.41% |
| Toyota Motor Corp | 2.21% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 1.59% |
| Siemens AG | 1.45% |
| Sanofi SA | 1.42% |
| HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.4% |
| TotalEnergies SE | 1.35% |
| Allianz SE | 1.23% |
| GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 1.18% |
| Rio Tinto PLC | 1.1% |
EFV’s Top Holdings are Novartis AG, Toyota Motor Corp, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Siemens AG, and Sanofi SA at 2.41%, 2.21%, 1.59%, 1.45%, and 1.42%.
HSBC Holdings PLC (1.4%), TotalEnergies SE (1.35%), and Allianz SE (1.23%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Rio Tinto PLC are also represented in the EFV’s holdings at 1.18% and 1.1%.
Risk Analysis
| IWR | EFV | |
| Mean Return | 1.17 | 0.42 |
| R-squared | 91.52 | 92.15 |
| Std. Deviation | 15.66 | 16.53 |
| Alpha | -2.8 | -1.77 |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.05 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.86 | 0.26 |
| Treynor Ratio | 11.72 | 2.92 |
The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) has a Sharpe Ratio of 0.86 with a Alpha of -2.8 and a Treynor Ratio of 11.72. Its R-squared is 91.52 while IWR’s Beta is 1.11. Furthermore, the fund has a Standard Deviation of 15.66 and a Mean Return of 1.17.
The iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) has a Alpha of -1.77 with a Treynor Ratio of 2.92 and a R-squared of 92.15. Its Sharpe Ratio is 0.26 while EFV’s Mean Return is 0.42. Furthermore, the fund has a Standard Deviation of 16.53 and a Beta of 1.05.
IWR’s Mean Return is 0.75 points higher than that of EFV and its R-squared is 0.63 points lower. With a Standard Deviation of 15.66, IWR is slightly less volatile than EFV. The Alpha and Beta of IWR are 1.03 points lower and 0.06 points higher than EFV’s Alpha and Beta.
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | IWR | EFV |
| 2020 | 16.91% | -2.78% |
| 2019 | 30.31% | 15.97% |
| 2018 | -9.13% | -14.88% |
| 2017 | 18.32% | 21.22% |
| 2016 | 13.58% | 4.87% |
| 2015 | -2.57% | -5.89% |
| 2014 | 13.03% | -5.65% |
| 2013 | 34.5% | 22.61% |
| 2012 | 17.13% | 17.52% |
| 2011 | -1.67% | -12.24% |
| 2010 | 25.25% | 3.18% |
IWR had its best year in 2013 with an annual return of 34.5%. IWR’s worst year over the past decade yielded -9.13% and occurred in 2018. In most years the iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF provided moderate returns such as in 2016, 2020, and 2012 where annual returns amounted to 13.58%, 16.91%, and 17.13% respectively.
The year 2013 was the strongest year for EFV, returning 22.61% on an annual basis. The poorest year for EFV in the last ten years was 2018, with a yield of -14.88%. Most years the iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has given investors modest returns, such as in 2020, 2010, and 2016, when gains were -2.78%, 3.18%, and 4.87% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| IWR | $10,000 | $39,751 | 14.15% |
| EFV | $10,000 | $14,134 | 3.99% |
A $10,000 investment in IWR would have resulted in a final balance of $39,751. This is a profit of $29,751 over 11 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.15%.
With a $10,000 investment in EFV, the end total would have been $14,134. This equates to a $4,134 profit over 11 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%.
IWR’s CAGR is 10.16 percentage points higher than that of EFV and as a result, would have yielded $25,617 more on a $10,000 investment. Thus, IWR outperformed EFV by 10.16% annually.
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