IALT vs. IWM
IALT (iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IALT is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. IALT is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IALT charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
IALT vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IALT achieves a 13.85% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.84% return.
IALT
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 2.39%
- 6M
- 11.00%
- YTD
- 13.85%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
IWM
- 1D
- 1.72%
- 1M
- -0.46%
- 6M
- 13.45%
- YTD
- 20.84%
- 1Y
- 39.26%
- 3Y*
- 16.48%
- 5Y*
- 7.64%
- 10Y*
- 10.63%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.80%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40.45M | $35.41M | $114.47M | |
| $6.77B | $6.36B | $7.44B |
IALT vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 13.85% | 0.83% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 20.84% | -1.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between IALT and IWM is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025 | 0.52 |
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Return for Risk
IALT vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
IALT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IWM
IALT vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) 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.
| IALT | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.34 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.58 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.68 | — |
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Drawdowns
IALT vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IALT drawdown since its inception was -2.27%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IALT and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IALT | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.27% | -59.05% | +56.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -11.03% | — |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.55% | -1.41% | +0.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.49% | -10.71% | +10.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.11% | — |
Volatility
IALT vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| IALT | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.21% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 14.13% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.01% | 19.36% | -11.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.01% | 22.50% | -14.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.01% | 23.02% | -15.01% |
IALT vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
IALT has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
IALT vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
IALT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than IWM's 0.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 0.39% | 0.14% | 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
IALT and IWM have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IALT.
IWM has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.39% for IALT.
IALT is categorized as Multistrategy, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for IALT and 0.19% for IWM.
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