What is Russell 2000's average annual return?

Since 2001, the Russell 2000 (proxied by IWM, dividends reinvested) has returned about 8.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 9.8%.

What were Russell 2000's best and worst years?

Over 2001–2026, the best year was 2003 (+47.6%) and the worst was 2008 (-34.1%).

How often is Russell 2000 up in a year?

18 of the 25 full years since 2001 were positive — about 72% of the time.

Russell 2000

Index

Market proxy IWM$304.071D -0.33%as of Aug 17, 3:55 PM ET

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Russell 2000 returns by year

Russell 2000 has returned +8.7% annually (CAGR) since 2001. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the Russell 2000 (proxied by IWM, dividends reinvested) below, through August 14, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+8.7%

2001–2026

Average year

+9.8%

25 full years

Best year

+47.6%

2003

Worst year

-34.1%

2008

Positive years

18/25

72% up

Russell 2000 returns by year (2001–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

Russell 2000 annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$246.16	$305.08	+0.2%	+24.2%
2025	$220.96	$246.16	+1.2%	+12.7%
2024	$200.71	$220.96	+1.3%	+11.4%
2023	$174.36	$200.71	+1.7%	+16.8%
2022	$222.45	$174.36	+1.1%	-20.5%
2021	$196.06	$222.45	+1.1%	+14.5%
2020	$165.67	$196.06	+1.7%	+20.0%
2019	$133.90	$165.67	+1.7%	+25.4%
2018	$152.46	$133.90	+1.0%	-11.1%
2017	$134.85	$152.46	+1.5%	+14.6%
2016	$112.62	$134.85	+1.8%	+21.6%
2015	$119.62	$112.62	+1.4%	-4.5%
2014	$115.36	$119.62	+1.3%	+5.0%
2013	$84.32	$115.36	+1.9%	+38.7%
2012	$73.75	$84.32	+2.4%	+16.7%
2011	$78.24	$73.75	+1.3%	-4.4%
2010	$62.44	$78.24	+1.6%	+26.9%
2009	$49.24	$62.44	+1.7%	+28.5%
2008	$75.90	$49.24	+1.0%	-34.1%
2007	$78.03	$75.90	+0.9%	-1.8%
2006	$66.72	$78.03	+1.3%	+18.3%
2005	$64.75	$66.72	+1.4%	+4.5%
2004	$55.40	$64.75	+1.2%	+18.0%
2003	$37.91	$55.40	+1.4%	+47.6%
2002	$48.18	$37.91	+0.9%	-20.4%
2001	$47.88	$48.18	+1.1%	+1.8%

Total return by period

-40%-20%+0%+20%+40%

'01'03'05'07'09'11'13'15'17'19'21'23'25

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from IWM's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the Russell 2000. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

FAQ#

What is Russell 2000's average annual return?: Since 2001, the Russell 2000 (proxied by IWM, dividends reinvested) has returned about 8.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 9.8%.
What were Russell 2000's best and worst years?: Over 2001–2026, the best year was 2003 (+47.6%) and the worst was 2008 (-34.1%).
How often is Russell 2000 up in a year?: 18 of the 25 full years since 2001 were positive — about 72% of the time.