Vanguard VOO ETF Offers Lower Costs and Stronger Growth Than IWM

Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a lower expense ratio and larger assets under management compared to the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), making it a more cost-effective option for large-cap exposure [1][2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than IWM's 0.19% - As of October 27, 2025, VOO's one-year return is 18.0%, while IWM's is 12.5% - VOO has a total AUM of $1.4 trillion, compared to IWM's $70.8 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, VOO has a max drawdown of -24.53%, while IWM's is -31.91% - A $1,000 investment in VOO would have grown to $2,021, compared to $1,569 for IWM over the same period [3] Portfolio Composition - VOO primarily invests in large-cap U.S. stocks, with technology making up 35% of its portfolio, followed by financial services and consumer discretionary sectors - The fund holds 504 stocks, with significant allocations to NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple [4] - IWM focuses on small-cap stocks, with industrials (18%), financial services (17%), and healthcare (16%) as its largest sectors, and it holds 1,966 stocks with minimal individual allocations [5] Investment Strategy - VOO is suitable for risk-averse investors seeking stable gains, while IWM appeals to those willing to take on more risk for potential growth in small-cap stocks [8][11]