AESB vs IWM
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF vs iShares Russell 2000 ETF
Which is better, AESB or IWM?
IWM costs less.
IWM has a lower expense ratio. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AESB | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.19%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $76.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 331 | 1,972 |
| YTD Return | -4.24% | +9.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +10.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +5.03% |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.6% | 3.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2026 | May 22, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AESB vs IWM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AESB vs IWM Performance
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF (AESB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Year to date, AESB is down 4.24% versus a gain of 9.82% for IWM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AESB charges 0.38% per year while IWM charges 0.19%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $19 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AESB currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for IWM.
Holdings Overlap
87.8% of AESB's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 15.4% of IWM's money is in holdings AESB also owns.
Most of AESB is already inside IWM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
149 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 1,973 in IWM, against full books of 331 and 1,972.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,550 positions for IWM that do not appear in our book for AESB (81.3% of the fund), and 10 for AESB that do not appear in IWM (6.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AESB | Weight in IWM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APLEApple Hospitality Reit Inc | 3.11% | 0.12% | 2.99% |
| BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 2.94% | 0.06% | 2.88% |
| CATYCathay Generalbancorp | 2.49% | 0.13% | 2.36% |
| RAMPLiveramp Holdings Inc | 2.42% | 0.08% | 2.34% |
| SLDESlide Insurance Holdings, Inc. | 1.97% | 0.05% | 1.92% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.66% | 0.16% | 1.50% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 1.59% | 0.17% | 1.42% |
| OFG:PROfg Bancorp Common Stock | 1.63% | 0.07% | 1.56% |
| EBFEnnis Inc | 1.65% | 0.02% | 1.63% |
| HRMYHarmony Biosciences, Llc | 1.47% | 0.06% | 1.41% |
87.8% of AESB is already inside IWM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AESB or IWM?
AESB has an expense ratio of 0.38% while IWM charges 0.19%. IWM is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AESB and IWM?
87.8% of AESB's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 15.4% of IWM's is in holdings AESB also owns. They hold 149 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 1,973 in IWM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AESB or IWM?
AESB yields 0.00% while IWM yields 0.98%, so IWM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWM better than AESB?
IWM has a lower expense ratio. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.