iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) belongs to the Materials category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with IYM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IYM
IYM charges 0.42% annually. There are 8 ETFs in the Materials category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 0.08% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | IYM vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | IYM vs VAW | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | IYM vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 20.22M | Apr 2010 | IYM vs PSCM | |
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 7.92M | Jul 2025 | IYM vs XLBI |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IYM
IYM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 55. There are 4 ETFs in the Materials category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 87.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 87 | 168.64M | Oct 2006 | IYM vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 77 | 2.17B | Jan 2012 | IYM vs PICK | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 70 | 368.16M | May 2007 | IYM vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 61 | 20.22M | Apr 2010 | IYM vs PSCM | |
| iShares Global Materials ETF | 51 | 338.67M | Sep 2006 | IYM vs MXI |
Top Performing IYM Alternatives (YTD)
IYM is at 14.73% YTD. There are 6 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 24.30%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 24.30% | 168.64M | Oct 2006 | IYM vs SLX | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 18.92% | 368.16M | May 2007 | IYM vs FXZ | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 16.18% | 2.17B | Jan 2012 | IYM vs PICK | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 15.29% | 177.61M | Nov 2006 | IYM vs RSPM | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 15.12% | — | Jul 2025 | IYM vs DVXB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IYM
IYM has 19.88% 1-year volatility. There are 7 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.82% | 7.92M | Jul 2025 | IYM vs XLBI | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.72% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | IYM vs XLB | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.65% | 266.77M | Jun 2008 | IYM vs WOOD | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.65% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | IYM vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.68% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | IYM vs VAW |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IYM
IYM has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.61%. There are 6 ETFs in the Materials category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -10.62%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | -10.62% | 7.92M | Jul 2025 | IYM vs XLBI | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | -12.32% | 177.61M | Nov 2006 | IYM vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | IYM vs XLB | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 368.16M | May 2007 | IYM vs FXZ | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | IYM vs VAW |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | IYM vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | IYM vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | IYM vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | IYM vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | IYM vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | IYM vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | IYM vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | IYM vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | IYM vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | IYM vs ACWI |
Often Compared With IYM
Investors most often compare IYM with IYY, CSD, VTI. These 20 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IYM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IYM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IYM with funds that move differently
iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IYM.
Explore IYM Diversifiers