ARTFX vs. IWF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARTFX (Artisan High Income Fund) and IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both funds - ARTFX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Artisan, while IWF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, ARTFX returned 5.95%/yr vs 18.49%/yr for IWF. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARTFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWF.

Performance

ARTFX vs. IWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARTFX achieves a 1.00% return, which is significantly lower than IWF's 7.11% return. Over the past 10 years, ARTFX has underperformed IWF with an annualized return of 5.95%, while IWF has yielded a comparatively higher 18.49% annualized return.

ARTFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 1.58%
• 1Y: 5.42%
• 3Y*: 8.47%
• 5Y*: 3.58%
• 10Y*: 5.95%

IWF

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 24.80%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

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

ARTFX vs. IWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARTFX Artisan High Income Fund	1.00%	8.02%	7.76%	13.61%	-10.66%	3.79%	9.45%	14.04%	-1.66%	8.84%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.11%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTFX and IWF is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2014	0.41

Return for Risk

ARTFX vs. IWF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARTFX

ARTFX Risk / Return Rank: 51
ARTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
ARTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ARTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ARTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
ARTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

ARTFX vs. IWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). 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.

	ARTFX	IWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.67	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	2.29	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.29	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	1.58	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.43	5.28	+4.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARTFX vs. IWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the IWF Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTFX and IWF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARTFX	IWF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	1.67	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.72	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.15	0.88	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	0.40	+0.66

Drawdowns

ARTFX vs. IWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTFX drawdown since its inception was -21.42%, smaller than the maximum IWF drawdown of -64.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTFX and IWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTFX	IWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.42%	-64.25%	+42.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.65%	-16.27%	+13.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.42%	-23.36%	+19.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.62%	-32.72%	+18.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.42%	-32.72%	+11.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.66%	+1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.21%	-22.08%	+19.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.59%	4.86%	-4.27%

Volatility

ARTFX vs. IWF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) is 0.99%, while iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) has a volatility of 3.61%. This indicates that ARTFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARTFX	IWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.99%	3.61%	-2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.38%	11.66%	-9.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91%	15.44%	-12.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.85%	21.40%	-16.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.20%	20.97%	-15.77%

ARTFX vs. IWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than IWF's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTFX vs. IWF - Dividend Comparison

ARTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.90%, more than IWF's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARTFX Artisan High Income Fund	6.90%	6.71%	6.52%	5.43%	6.23%	5.21%	5.33%	6.15%	6.99%	7.75%	6.53%	7.28%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARTFX and IWF in my portfolio?

ARTFX and IWF have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARTFX or IWF?

IWF has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to ARTFX (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTFX dropped -21.42% vs IWF's -64.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARTFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.67), 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.