IETC vs. IAI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IETC (iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF) and IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IETC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services. IETC is actively managed, while IAI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IETC returned 15.73%/yr vs 14.44%/yr for IAI. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IETC charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for IAI.

Performance

IETC vs. IAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IETC achieves a 4.48% return, which is significantly higher than IAI's 3.17% return.

IETC

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 4.48%
• 6M: 4.29%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 25.69%
• 5Y*: 15.73%
• 10Y*: —

IAI

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 28.06%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

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

IETC vs. IAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	4.48%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	29.73%	46.59%	43.09%	-3.75%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	3.17%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-13.63%

Correlation

The correlation between IETC and IAI is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2018	0.60

The correlation between IETC and IAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

IETC vs. IAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IETC	IAI
Technology	79.1%	0.1%
Communication Services	8.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	-
Industrials	3.7%	-
Financial Services	3.1%	99.9%
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IETC vs. IAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 23
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Martin Ratio Rank: 21

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

IETC vs. IAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). 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.

	IETC	IAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.00	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	1.43	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	1.17	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	3.33	-1.02

IETC vs. IAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IETC Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is comparable to the IAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IETC and IAI, 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

IETC vs. IAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IETC drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, smaller than the maximum IAI drawdown of -75.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IETC and IAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IETC	IAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-75.46%	+36.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.19%	-16.52%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.17%	-23.14%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.48%	-28.84%	-9.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.38%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.32%	-2.81%	-7.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-22.63%	+14.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.67%	5.80%	+1.87%

Volatility

IETC vs. IAI - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) has a higher volatility of 9.62% compared to iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) at 5.98%. This indicates that IETC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IETC	IAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.62%	5.98%	+3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.85%	15.34%	+2.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.11%	19.44%	+2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.70%	21.48%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	22.85%	+2.59%

IETC vs. IAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IETC has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than IAI's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

IETC vs. IAI - Dividend Comparison

IETC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than IAI's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.05%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	0.37%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IETC and IAI in my portfolio?

IETC and IAI have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IETC or IAI?

IETC has higher volatility (9.62%) compared to IAI (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IETC dropped -38.48% vs IAI's -75.46%.

Which ETF is better, IETC or IAI?

On 5-year performance, IETC leads with 15.73% vs 14.44% for IAI. On fees, IETC is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IAI has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IETC or IAI?

Over the 5-year period, IETC has performed better with a 15.73% return vs 14.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IETC or IAI?

IETC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for IAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IETC or IAI?

IAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.37% for IETC.

What is the main difference between IETC and IAI?

IETC is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAI is Financials Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IETC and 0.41% for IAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.80), 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.