IWM vs VB: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VB yields more: 1.27% (dividend yield) against 0.99% for IWM. VB is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.19%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), VB returned 9.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and IWM 8.6%.
| Compared | IWM | VB |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.99% | 1.27% |
| Expense ratio | 0.19% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +14.6% | +15.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.6% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +5.4% | +6.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +10.3% | +11.1% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -47.6% | -49.5% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +268% | +326% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $75.5B | $177.6B |
| Started | 2000 | 2004 |
| Type | Small Blend | Small Blend |
Higher yield
VB
1.27%
Lower cost
VB
0.03%
Better total return
VB
9.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
IWM
-47.6%
Key facts: IWM vs VB
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IWM yields 0.99% (dividend yield) and VB yields 1.27% (dividend yield).
- IWM's expense ratio is 0.19% and VB's is 0.03%: $19 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IWM grew to $47,384 (8.6% a year) and $10,000 in VB to $56,179 (9.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -47.6% for IWM and -49.5% for VB.
- 0 of IWM's top ten holdings are also in VB's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IWM vs VB: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/iwm-vs-vb
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IWM became
$47,384
8.6% a year
VB became
$56,179
9.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | IWM | VB |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +12.7% | +8.9% |
| 2024 | +11.4% | +14.2% |
| 2023 | +16.8% | +18.2% |
| 2022 | −20.5% | −17.5% |
| 2021 | +14.5% | +17.6% |
| 2020 | +20.0% | +19.2% |
| 2019 | +25.4% | +27.3% |
| 2018 | −11.1% | −9.3% |
| 2017 | +14.6% | +16.3% |
| 2016 | +21.6% | +18.4% |
| 2015 | −4.5% | −3.8% |
| 2014 | +5.0% | +7.6% |
| 2013 | +38.7% | +37.7% |
| 2012 | +16.7% | +18.3% |
| 2011 | −4.4% | −2.8% |
| 2010 | +26.9% | +28.1% |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +36.6% |
| 2008 | −34.1% | −36.2% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
IWM
- GKOS Glaukos Corp0.5%
- BTSG BrightSpring Health Services Inc0.4%
- FROG JFrog Ltd Ordinary Shares0.3%
- TWST Twist Bioscience Corp0.3%
- MOG-A Moog Inc Class A0.3%
- UMBF UMB Financial Corp0.3%
- VSAT Viasat Inc0.3%
- SM SM Energy Co0.3%
- EAT Brinker International Inc0.3%
- RHP Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc0.3%
VB
- NTRA Natera Inc0.7%
- TWLO Twilio Inc Class A0.6%
- RVMD Revolution Medicines Inc Ordinary Shares0.5%
- ILMN Illumina Inc0.5%
- P Everpure Inc Class A0.5%
- OKTA Okta Inc Class A0.4%
- MRNA Moderna Inc0.4%
- EME EMCOR Group Inc0.4%
- CRDO Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd0.4%
- JBL Jabil Inc0.4%
IWM vs VB: questions
Is IWM or VB better?
It depends on the job. VB pays more today (1.27% vs 0.99%), VB costs less, and VB has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with IWM holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWM or VB?
VB, at 1.27% against 0.99% for IWM as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $127 vs $99 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VB. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.6% for IWM. $10,000 became $56,179 vs $47,384.
Which is cheaper, IWM or VB?
VB, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.19%.
Do IWM and VB hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VB leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.