ETHU vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ETHU (Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETHU is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Volatility Shares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. ETHU is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past year, ETHU returned -76.14% vs 41.60% for IWM. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ETHU charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

ETHU vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) 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, ETHU achieves a -72.13% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.84% return.

ETHU

• 1D: -2.88%
• 1M: -45.48%
• YTD: -72.13%
• 6M: -75.88%
• 1Y: -76.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 41.60%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 6.43%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

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

ETHU vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	-72.13%	-64.38%	-49.29%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.84%	12.66%	10.41%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHU and IWM is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024	0.49

Return for Risk

ETHU vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHU

ETHU Risk / Return Rank: 4
ETHU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ETHU Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ETHU Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ETHU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ETHU Martin Ratio Rank: 3

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 68
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

ETHU vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) 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.

	ETHU	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.56	2.18	-2.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.51	3.00	-3.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.36	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.83	3.79	-4.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.22	13.45	-14.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETHU vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHU Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHU 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

	ETHU	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.56	2.18	-2.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.54	0.37	-0.91

Drawdowns

ETHU vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHU drawdown since its inception was -95.18%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHU and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHU	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.18%	-59.05%	-36.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-91.80%	-11.03%	-80.77%
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	-95.18%	-0.01%	-95.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.45%	-10.77%	-58.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	62.60%	3.10%	+59.50%

Volatility

ETHU vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) has a higher volatility of 20.02% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 5.70%. This indicates that ETHU'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

	ETHU	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.02%	5.70%	+14.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	92.47%	13.60%	+78.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	137.43%	19.19%	+118.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	142.96%	22.53%	+120.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	142.96%	23.04%	+119.92%

ETHU vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHU has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHU vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

ETHU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.16%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	5.16%	2.31%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.87%	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 ETHU and IWM in my portfolio?

ETHU and IWM have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHU or IWM?

ETHU has higher volatility (20.02%) compared to IWM (5.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHU dropped -95.18% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, ETHU or IWM?

On 1-year performance, IWM leads with 41.60% vs -76.14% for ETHU. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 5.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHU or IWM?

Over the 1-year period, IWM has performed better with a 41.60% return vs -76.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHU or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for ETHU.

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

ETHU has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 0.87% for IWM.

What is the main difference between ETHU and IWM?

ETHU is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Volatility Shares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for ETHU and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs -0.56), 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.