FLDZ vs. IWS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FLDZ (RiverNorth Patriot ETF) and IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLDZ is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by RiverNorth, while IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Value Index. FLDZ is actively managed, while IWS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FLDZ returned 9.54%/yr vs 15.33%/yr for IWS. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FLDZ charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for IWS.

Performance

FLDZ vs. IWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in RiverNorth Patriot ETF (FLDZ) 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, FLDZ achieves a 3.40% return, which is significantly lower than IWS's 19.19% return.

FLDZ

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -4.86%
• 6M: 1.59%
• YTD: 3.40%
• 1Y: 6.02%
• 3Y*: 9.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.21%

IWS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.62%
• 6M: 14.40%
• YTD: 19.19%
• 1Y: 27.66%
• 3Y*: 15.33%
• 5Y*: 9.45%
• 10Y*: 10.30%
• ALL TIME*: 9.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLDZ RiverNorth Patriot ETF	$3.19K	$2.29K	$1.72K
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	$90.38M	$82.14M	$73.71M

FLDZ vs. IWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FLDZ RiverNorth Patriot ETF	3.40%	6.66%	15.99%	12.15%	-12.07%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	19.19%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%

Correlation

The correlation between FLDZ and IWS is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2022	0.93

The correlation between FLDZ and IWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLDZ vs. IWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLDZ	IWS
Financial Services	15.5%	16.3%
Consumer Cyclical	14.6%	8.5%
Healthcare	13.2%	9.9%
Industrials	12.3%	14.9%
Utilities	11.6%	7.2%
Energy	10.3%	7.1%
Real Estate	8.7%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.7%
Communication Services	4.2%	2.4%
Technology	3.4%	13.3%
Basic Materials	1.5%	5.9%

Return for Risk

FLDZ vs. IWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FLDZ

FLDZ Risk / Return Rank: 21
FLDZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
FLDZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
FLDZ Omega Ratio Rank: 19
FLDZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
FLDZ Martin Ratio Rank: 26

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 85
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FLDZ vs. IWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RiverNorth Patriot ETF (FLDZ) 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.

	FLDZ	IWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	1.94	-1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	2.81	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.34	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.66	3.47	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.09	13.35	-11.27

FLDZ vs. IWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLDZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the IWS Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLDZ 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

FLDZ vs. IWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLDZ drawdown since its inception was -19.54%, smaller than the maximum IWS drawdown of -62.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLDZ and IWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLDZ	IWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.54%	-62.40%	+42.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.78%	-7.53%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.43%	-20.57%	+3.14%
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	-4.86%	-1.38%	-3.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.85%	-7.97%	+2.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	1.95%	+0.50%

Volatility

FLDZ vs. IWS - Volatility Comparison

RiverNorth Patriot ETF (FLDZ) has a higher volatility of 7.82% compared to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) at 2.96%. This indicates that FLDZ'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

	FLDZ	IWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.82%	2.96%	+4.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.62%	9.98%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	13.46%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	17.26%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	19.30%	-2.26%

FLDZ vs. IWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLDZ has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than IWS's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLDZ vs. IWS - Dividend Comparison

FLDZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than IWS's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLDZ RiverNorth Patriot ETF	1.49%	1.54%	1.17%	1.39%	1.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.30%	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 FLDZ and IWS in my portfolio?

FLDZ and IWS have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLDZ or IWS?

FLDZ has higher volatility (7.82%) compared to IWS (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLDZ dropped -19.54% vs IWS's -62.40%.

Which ETF is better, FLDZ or IWS?

On 3-year performance, IWS leads with 15.33% vs 9.54% for FLDZ. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 2.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLDZ or IWS?

Over the 3-year period, IWS has performed better with a 15.33% return vs 9.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLDZ or IWS?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for FLDZ.

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

FLDZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.30% for IWS.

What is the main difference between FLDZ and IWS?

FLDZ is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IWS is Mid Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: RiverNorth and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for FLDZ and 0.23% for IWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.38), 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.