EPMB vs IWR
Harbor Mid Cap Core ETF vs iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF
Which is better, EPMB or IWR?
EPMB has been ahead.
IWR has a lower expense ratio. EPMB led over 1Y and the full window. IWR is less concentrated, with 7.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%.
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 | EPMB | IWR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $56.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.58% | 1.19% |
| Holdings | 119 | 825 |
| YTD Return | +12.01% | +12.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.07%Best | +14.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +7.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -8.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,414Best | $12,940 |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7% | 7.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | Jul 17, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).
EPMB vs IWR 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 covers the 1.5 years both funds cover.
EPMB vs IWR Performance
Harbor Mid Cap Core ETF (EPMB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year EPMB returned +21.07% while IWR returned +14.18%. Year to date, EPMB is up 12.01% versus a gain of 12.13% for IWR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPMB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 10.4% for IWR. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -8.9% for EPMB and -8.2% for IWR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPMB charges 0.88% per year while IWR charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $18 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPMB currently yields 1.58% against 1.19% for IWR.
Holdings Overlap
71.1% of EPMB's money is in holdings IWR also owns. 7.2% of IWR's money is in holdings EPMB also owns.
Most of EPMB is already inside IWR. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
42 positions in common, counted across the 59 positions we hold weights for in EPMB and 823 in IWR, against full books of 119 and 825.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 749 positions for IWR that do not appear in our book for EPMB (89.7% of the fund), and 15 for EPMB that do not appear in IWR (22.1%).
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 EPMB | Weight in IWR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEYSKeysight Technologies Inc. | 3.77% | 0.48% | 3.29% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 3.69% | 0.33% | 3.36% |
| ENTGEntegris Inc Common Stock Usd 0.01 | 3.40% | 0.18% | 3.22% |
| WWDWoodward Inc | 2.85% | 0.15% | 2.70% |
| IQVI Q V I A Holdings Inc. | 2.50% | 0.32% | 2.18% |
| ARWArrow Electronics Inc. | 2.47% | 0.09% | 2.38% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 2.27% | 0.12% | 2.15% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 2.03% | 0.28% | 1.75% |
| HXLHexcel Corp | 2.06% | 0.05% | 2.01% |
| RNRRenaissancere Holdings Limited | 1.94% | 0.10% | 1.84% |
71.1% of EPMB is already inside IWR.
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, EPMB or IWR?
EPMB has an expense ratio of 0.88% while IWR charges 0.18%. IWR is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPMB or IWR?
Over the past year EPMB returned +21.07% vs +14.18% for IWR, so EPMB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), EPMB annualized +21.63% vs +18.75% for IWR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPMB or IWR?
EPMB has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 10.4% for IWR. Worst drawdown: EPMB -8.9% vs IWR -8.2%.
Should I hold both EPMB and IWR?
EPMB and IWR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EPMB and IWR?
71.1% of EPMB's money is in holdings IWR also owns. 7.2% of IWR's is in holdings EPMB also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 59 positions we hold weights for in EPMB and 823 in IWR.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPMB or IWR?
EPMB yields 1.58% while IWR yields 1.19%, so EPMB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWR better than EPMB?
IWR has a lower expense ratio. EPMB led over 1Y and the full window. IWR is less concentrated, with 7.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.