AIPI vs. IWS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AIPI (REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by REX, while IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index. AIPI is actively managed, while IWS is passively managed. Over the past year, AIPI returned 22.46% vs 27.58% for IWS. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIPI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

AIPI vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIPI achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly lower than IWS's 16.45% return.

AIPI

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 22.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWS

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 4.03%
• YTD: 16.45%
• 6M: 15.28%
• 1Y: 27.58%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIPI vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	6.90%	16.38%	15.79%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	16.45%	10.82%	7.15%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPI and IWS is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.52

The correlation between AIPI and IWS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIPI vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIPI	IWS
Technology	90.9%	18.2%
Communication Services	5.9%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.2%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	7.7%
Financial Services	-	13.7%
Healthcare	-	7.5%
Industrials	-	16.5%
Real Estate	-	8.2%
Utilities	-	6.5%

Return for Risk

AIPI vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AIPI

AIPI Risk / Return Rank: 40
AIPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
AIPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
AIPI Omega Ratio Rank: 44
AIPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
AIPI Martin Ratio Rank: 36

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 76
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AIPI vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIPI	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.05	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	2.91	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.36	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	3.68	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.82	13.82	-9.00

AIPI vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIPI and IWS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AIPI vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPI drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIPI and IWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIPI	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-62.40%	+37.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.40%	-7.53%	-6.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.20%	0.00%	-4.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.64%	-8.01%	+3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	2.00%	+2.67%

Volatility

AIPI vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) has a higher volatility of 5.30% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 4.29%. This indicates that AIPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIPI	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.30%	4.29%	+1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.53%	9.97%	+3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.36%	13.53%	+2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.42%	17.36%	+4.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	19.37%	+2.05%

AIPI vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIPI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIPI vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

AIPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 36.97%, more than IWS's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	36.97%	37.84%	18.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.32%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIPI and IWS in my portfolio?

AIPI and IWS have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIPI or IWS?

AIPI has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to IWS (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIPI dropped -25.25% vs IWS's -62.40%.

Which ETF is better, AIPI or IWS?

On 1-year performance, IWS leads with 27.58% vs 22.46% for AIPI. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIPI or IWS?

Over the 1-year period, IWS has performed better with a 27.58% return vs 22.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIPI or IWS?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AIPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIPI or IWS?

AIPI has the higher dividend yield at 36.97%, compared with 1.32% for IWS.

What is the main difference between AIPI and IWS?

AIPI is categorized as Derivative Income, while IWS is Mid Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: REX and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AIPI and 0.23% for IWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.38), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.