iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML) Performance
WSML total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +12.1% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +14.0% total return
- Since first price
- +44.7% since 2025
WSML trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | WSML total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.8% | −1.8% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.3% | −1.3% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +2.4% | +1.5% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +12.1% | +11.2% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +14.0% | +10.6% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionApr 3, 2025 | +44.7% | +40.0% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: WSML vs SPY
From Apr 3, 2025: WSML grew to $14,474, SPY to $14,395.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
WSML returns by calendar year
2026 is year to date.
WSML annual returns table
| Year | WSML | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +12.1% | −10.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
WSML largest drawdowns
Now 6.8% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2026 | −10.7% | Mar 30, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | 32 days | 50 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
WSML risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2025 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +26.5% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.52 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.68 |
| Best month | +8.5% |
| Worst month | −7.3% |
| Best 12 months | +37.0% |
| Worst 12 months | +15.9% |
| Positive months | 82% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
WSML rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 7 | +14.9% | +26.0% | +37.0% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2025. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
WSML performance overview
iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML) returned +14.0% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Apr 3, 2025 it has returned +44.7%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −10.7%, from Feb 26, 2026 to Mar 30, 2026, and it took 18 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 13.7% a year.
Related: WSML chart, WSML holdings, WSML dividends, WSML valuation. See the WSML overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
WSML performance FAQ
What is the WSML return over the past year?
WSML returned +14.0% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 10.6%.
How much would $10,000 invested in WSML be worth?
$10,000 invested in WSML at its first recorded close on April 3, 2025 would be worth about $14,474 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of WSML?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −10.7% between February 26, 2026 and March 30, 2026. It recovered to the old high on April 17, 2026, 18 days after the bottom.
How volatile is WSML?
Over the past history WSML had an annualized volatility of 13.7% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.52 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).