BAI vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BAI (iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BAI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. BAI is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past year, BAI returned 97.95% vs 39.10% for IWM. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BAI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

BAI vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAI achieves a 55.29% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 17.07% return.

BAI

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 18.14%
• YTD: 55.29%
• 6M: 51.89%
• 1Y: 97.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

BAI vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BAI iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF	55.29%	25.22%	8.06%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	0.16%

Correlation

The correlation between BAI and IWM is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2024	0.67

The correlation between BAI and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

BAI vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BAI	IWM
Technology	83.2%	19.5%
Communication Services	6.8%	2.0%
Industrials	6.7%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	2.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	0.7%	15.8%
Basic Materials	-	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.1%
Energy	-	6.0%
Financial Services	-	15.8%
Real Estate	-	5.7%
Utilities	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

BAI vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAI

BAI Risk / Return Rank: 82
BAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BAI Omega Ratio Rank: 75
BAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
BAI Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

BAI vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

	BAI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	2.05	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.85	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.34	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.07	3.56	+2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.57	12.64	+3.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BAI vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAI Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is higher than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAI and IWM, 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

	BAI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.04	2.05	+0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.69	0.37	+1.32

Drawdowns

BAI vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAI drawdown since its inception was -34.09%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAI and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAI	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.09%	-59.05%	+24.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.22%	-11.03%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.50%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-1.49%	+1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-10.77%	+3.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.93%	3.10%	+2.83%

Volatility

BAI vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) has a higher volatility of 11.32% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 5.75%. This indicates that BAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAI	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.32%	5.75%	+5.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.16%	13.53%	+12.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.43%	19.20%	+13.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.06%	22.52%	+12.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.06%	23.04%	+12.02%

BAI vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAI vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

BAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAI iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF	1.16%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAI and IWM in my portfolio?

BAI and IWM have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAI or IWM?

BAI has higher volatility (11.32%) compared to IWM (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAI dropped -34.09% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, BAI or IWM?

On 1-year performance, BAI leads with 97.95% vs 39.10% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 5.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAI or IWM?

Over the 1-year period, BAI has performed better with a 97.95% return vs 39.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAI or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAI or IWM?

BAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between BAI and IWM?

BAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for BAI and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.05), 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.