BELT vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

BELT (iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BELT is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. BELT is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past year, BELT returned 22.26% vs 39.77% for IWM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BELT charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

BELT vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF (BELT) 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, BELT achieves a 15.89% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 21.03% return.

BELT

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 15.89%
• 6M: 14.46%
• 1Y: 22.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.31%
• YTD: 21.03%
• 6M: 17.89%
• 1Y: 39.77%
• 3Y*: 19.40%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 11.63%

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

BELT vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BELT iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF	15.89%	12.42%	-1.87%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	21.03%	12.66%	10.96%

Correlation

The correlation between BELT and IWM is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2024	0.70

The correlation between BELT and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

BELT vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BELT	IWM
Technology	35.7%	20.1%
Industrials	26.1%	17.3%
Communication Services	14.1%	1.7%
Financial Services	12.4%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	8.0%
Healthcare	0.4%	15.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	2.0%
Energy	0.2%	6.0%
Utilities	0.1%	3.1%
Real Estate	0.1%	5.5%
Basic Materials	0.1%	4.5%

Return for Risk

BELT vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BELT

BELT Risk / Return Rank: 42
BELT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
BELT Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BELT Omega Ratio Rank: 37
BELT Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
BELT Martin Ratio Rank: 50

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 70
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 61
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

BELT vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF (BELT) 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.

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.

	BELT	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.03	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.80	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.33	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	3.62	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	12.82	-5.32

BELT vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BELT Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BELT 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.

Drawdowns

BELT vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BELT drawdown since its inception was -23.05%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BELT and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BELT	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.05%	-59.05%	+36.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.47%	-11.03%	-0.44%
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	-3.29%	-0.50%	-2.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.49%	-10.74%	+7.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	3.11%	-0.14%

Volatility

BELT vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF (BELT) has a higher volatility of 6.90% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 6.52%. This indicates that BELT'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

	BELT	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.90%	6.52%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.87%	14.30%	+0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.04%	19.71%	-1.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.42%	22.60%	-1.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	23.06%	-1.64%

BELT vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BELT has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

BELT vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

BELT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than IWM's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BELT iShares U.S. Select Equity Active ETF	0.02%	0.00%	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	0.90%	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 BELT and IWM in my portfolio?

BELT and IWM have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BELT or IWM?

BELT has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to IWM (6.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BELT dropped -23.05% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, BELT or IWM?

On 1-year performance, IWM leads with 39.77% vs 22.26% for BELT. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 6.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BELT or IWM?

Over the 1-year period, IWM has performed better with a 39.77% return vs 22.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BELT or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for BELT.

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

IWM has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.02% for BELT.

What is the main difference between BELT and IWM?

BELT is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for BELT and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.25), 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.