GXDW vs. IAK
GXDW (Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GXDW is a Systematic Trend fund tracking the Nasdaq Dorsey Wright Thematic Rotation Total Return Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GXDW returned -13.00%/yr vs 15.99%/yr for IAK. Their 0.26 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GXDW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.
Performance
GXDW vs. IAK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GXDW achieves a -1.28% return, which is significantly lower than IAK's 10.11% return.
GXDW
- 1D
- 2.16%
- 1M
- -6.69%
- 6M
- -5.19%
- YTD
- -1.28%
- 1Y
- -6.02%
- 3Y*
- -3.08%
- 5Y*
- -13.00%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -0.26%
IAK
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- -0.03%
- 6M
- 12.56%
- YTD
- 10.11%
- 1Y
- 19.67%
- 3Y*
- 19.67%
- 5Y*
- 15.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.39%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $113.22K | $106.22K | $200.22K | |
| $15.27M | $20.59M | $12.29M |
GXDW vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GXDW Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF | -1.28% | 3.52% | -3.55% | 10.26% | -48.08% | 3.21% | 61.07% | 4.74% |
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF | 10.11% | 9.50% | 28.25% | 11.28% | 11.33% | 26.84% | -2.86% | 2.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between GXDW and IAK is -0.20, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.03 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2019 | 0.26 |
The correlation between GXDW and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GXDW vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank
GXDW
IAK
GXDW vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF (GXDW) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.
| GXDW | IAK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.22 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.21 | 2.59 | -2.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.48 | 6.29 | -6.77 |
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Drawdowns
GXDW vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GXDW drawdown since its inception was -67.81%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GXDW and IAK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GXDW | IAK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.81% | -77.38% | +9.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.14% | -7.62% | -21.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.14% | -11.58% | -17.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -61.17% | -14.76% | -46.41% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.95% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -60.98% | -3.20% | -57.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.42% | -16.01% | -27.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.65% | 3.13% | +9.52% |
Volatility
GXDW vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison
Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF (GXDW) has a higher volatility of 13.40% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 6.56%. This indicates that GXDW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GXDW | IAK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.40% | 6.56% | +6.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 25.68% | 12.42% | +13.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.57% | 15.99% | +15.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.75% | 18.13% | +10.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 30.13% | 20.92% | +9.21% |
GXDW vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison
GXDW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
GXDW vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison
GXDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than IAK's 2.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GXDW Global X Dorsey Wright Thematic ETF | 1.52% | 1.40% | 1.08% | 1.99% | 1.48% | 1.56% | 0.48% | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF | 2.42% | 1.69% | 1.49% | 1.44% | 1.69% | 2.26% | 2.07% | 1.84% | 2.33% | 1.62% | 1.68% | 1.62% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GXDW and IAK have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GXDW has higher volatility (13.40%) compared to IAK (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GXDW dropped -67.81% vs IAK's -77.38%.
On 5-year performance, IAK leads with 15.99% vs -13.00% for GXDW. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAK has performed better with a 15.99% return vs -13.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for GXDW.
IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.52% for GXDW.
GXDW is categorized as Systematic Trend, while IAK is Financials Equities. GXDW tracks Nasdaq Dorsey Wright Thematic Rotation Total Return Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for GXDW and 0.38% for IAK.
IAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs -0.19), 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.
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