IGM vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGM (iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Technology Sector Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGM returned 25.19%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGM charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

IGM vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGM achieves a 31.32% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, IGM has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 25.19%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.93% annualized return.

IGM

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 16.93%
• YTD: 31.32%
• 6M: 29.19%
• 1Y: 62.26%
• 3Y*: 39.18%
• 5Y*: 22.04%
• 10Y*: 25.19%

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

IGM vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGM iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF	31.32%	26.76%	36.99%	60.68%	-35.83%	25.72%	45.11%	41.81%	2.26%	37.20%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between IGM and IWM is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2001	0.76

The correlation between IGM and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (3 years) to 0.76 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IGM vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IGM	IWM
Technology	82.8%	19.5%
Communication Services	16.8%	2.0%
Financial Services	0.2%	15.8%
Industrials	0.2%	17.1%
Energy	0.1%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	7.8%
Basic Materials	-	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.1%
Healthcare	-	15.8%
Real Estate	-	5.7%
Utilities	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

IGM vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGM

IGM Risk / Return Rank: 79
IGM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
IGM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IGM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IGM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IGM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

IGM vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) 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.

	IGM	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	2.05	+1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	2.85	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.34	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	3.56	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	12.64	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGM vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGM Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGM and IWM, 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

	IGM	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07	2.05	+1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.27	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.03	0.48	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.37	+0.12

Drawdowns

IGM vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGM drawdown since its inception was -65.59%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGM and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGM	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.59%	-59.05%	-6.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.44%	-11.03%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-27.50%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.68%	-31.91%	-8.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.68%	-41.13%	+0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-1.49%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.23%	-10.77%	-4.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	3.10%	+1.57%

Volatility

IGM vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) has a higher volatility of 6.10% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 5.75%. This indicates that IGM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGM	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.10%	5.75%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.08%	13.53%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.43%	19.20%	+1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.68%	22.52%	+3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.54%	23.04%	+1.50%

IGM vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGM has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGM vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

IGM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGM iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF	0.12%	0.17%	0.22%	0.33%	0.66%	0.16%	0.32%	0.50%	0.57%	0.57%	0.90%	0.79%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	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

Can I hold both IGM and IWM in my portfolio?

IGM and IWM have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGM or IWM?

IGM has higher volatility (6.10%) compared to IWM (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGM dropped -65.59% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, IGM or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IGM leads with 25.19% vs 10.93% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 5.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGM or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IGM has performed better with a 25.19% return vs 10.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGM or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IGM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IGM or IWM?

IWM has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.12% for IGM.

What is the main difference between IGM and IWM?

IGM is categorized as Technology Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IGM tracks S&P North American Technology Sector Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IGM and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 2.05), 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.