FRTY vs. IWR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FRTY (Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF) and IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. FRTY is actively managed, while IWR is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FRTY returned 4.95%/yr vs 8.00%/yr for IWR. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FRTY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWR.

Performance

FRTY vs. IWR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) and iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with FRTY at 12.43% and IWR at 12.43%.

FRTY

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 10.48%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 12.10%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 23.96%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: —

IWR

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 3.79%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 12.21%
• 1Y: 21.66%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 8.00%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

FRTY vs. IWR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FRTY Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF	12.43%	12.82%	38.86%	16.81%	-42.23%	2.07%
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF	12.43%	10.37%	15.21%	17.05%	-17.48%	13.45%

Correlation

The correlation between FRTY and IWR is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2021	0.75

The correlation between FRTY and IWR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

FRTY vs. IWR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FRTY	IWR
Technology	24.1%	17.2%
Healthcare	20.2%	8.7%
Industrials	14.5%	18.4%
Communication Services	13.5%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	11.2%
Energy	6.6%	7.2%
Utilities	6.0%	6.1%
Financial Services	4.5%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	4.1%
Basic Materials	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	7.0%

Return for Risk

FRTY vs. IWR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRTY

FRTY Risk / Return Rank: 30
FRTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FRTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FRTY Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FRTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FRTY Martin Ratio Rank: 28

IWR

IWR Risk / Return Rank: 49
IWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
IWR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IWR Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

FRTY vs. IWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) and iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR). 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.

	FRTY	IWR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.63	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	2.35	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.28	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	2.66	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.97	10.28	-6.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FRTY vs. IWR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the IWR Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRTY and IWR, 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

	FRTY	IWR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.63	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.44	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.49	-0.36

Drawdowns

FRTY vs. IWR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRTY drawdown since its inception was -53.15%, smaller than the maximum IWR drawdown of -58.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRTY and IWR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRTY	IWR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.15%	-58.78%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.75%	-8.17%	-11.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.48%	-21.09%	-10.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.15%	-26.18%	-26.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.26%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.97%	-7.80%	-20.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.59%	2.11%	+5.48%

Volatility

FRTY vs. IWR - Volatility Comparison

Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) has a higher volatility of 9.01% compared to iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) at 3.26%. This indicates that FRTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRTY	IWR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.01%	3.26%	+5.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.38%	9.84%	+8.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.86%	13.39%	+12.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.19%	18.23%	+8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.11%	19.36%	+7.75%

FRTY vs. IWR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRTY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IWR's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRTY vs. IWR - Dividend Comparison

FRTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than IWR's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRTY Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF	0.17%	0.19%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	5.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF	1.15%	1.29%	1.27%	1.43%	1.59%	1.04%	1.28%	1.43%	1.98%	1.52%	1.72%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRTY and IWR in my portfolio?

FRTY and IWR have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRTY or IWR?

FRTY has higher volatility (9.01%) compared to IWR (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRTY dropped -53.15% vs IWR's -58.78%.

Which ETF is better, FRTY or IWR?

On 5-year performance, IWR leads with 8.00% vs 4.95% for FRTY. On fees, IWR is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWR has been the lower-risk option at 3.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRTY or IWR?

Over the 5-year period, IWR has performed better with a 8.00% return vs 4.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRTY or IWR?

IWR is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FRTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FRTY or IWR?

IWR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.17% for FRTY.

What is the main difference between FRTY and IWR?

They also come from different issuers: Alger Group Holdings LLC and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FRTY and 0.19% for IWR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.17), 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.