IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

IMSU.L (iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and WOOD.L (iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) are both exchange-traded funds - IMSU.L is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI World/Materials NR USD, while WOOD.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Timber & Forestry Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IMSU.L returned 6.56%/yr vs -2.69%/yr for WOOD.L. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IMSU.L charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for WOOD.L.

Performance

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (IMSU.L) and iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WOOD.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IMSU.L achieves a 10.77% return, which is significantly higher than WOOD.L's -4.05% return.

IMSU.L

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: -4.73%
• 6M: 3.70%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 1Y: 14.35%
• 3Y*: 6.84%
• 5Y*: 6.56%
• 10Y*: —

WOOD.L

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.57%
• 6M: -9.86%
• YTD: -4.05%
• 1Y: -4.89%
• 3Y*: -2.36%
• 5Y*: -2.69%
• 10Y*: 4.62%

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

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IMSU.L iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	10.77%	3.37%	0.69%	6.26%	-1.35%	28.63%	16.34%	19.09%	-9.88%	-12.89%
WOOD.L iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	-4.05%	-9.97%	-3.72%	7.19%	-8.92%	16.76%	16.74%	14.91%	-15.41%	15.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IMSU.L and WOOD.L is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2017	0.68

The correlation between IMSU.L and WOOD.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMSU.L

IMSU.L Risk / Return Rank: 32
IMSU.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
IMSU.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IMSU.L Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IMSU.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IMSU.L Martin Ratio Rank: 35

WOOD.L

WOOD.L Risk / Return Rank: 7
WOOD.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
WOOD.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
WOOD.L Omega Ratio Rank: 7
WOOD.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
WOOD.L Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (IMSU.L) and iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WOOD.L). 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.

	IMSU.L	WOOD.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	-0.28	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	-0.29	+1.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	0.97	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	-0.24	+1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.15	-0.47	+4.62

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMSU.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is higher than the WOOD.L Sharpe Ratio of -0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMSU.L and WOOD.L, 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

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMSU.L drawdown since its inception was -33.22%, smaller than the maximum WOOD.L drawdown of -76.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMSU.L and WOOD.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMSU.L	WOOD.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.22%	-76.03%	+42.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.76%	-20.56%	+9.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.16%	-25.68%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.16%	-29.40%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.38%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.97%	-24.38%	+19.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.10%	-28.49%	+17.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	10.30%	-6.85%

Volatility

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (IMSU.L) and iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WOOD.L) have volatilities of 5.32% and 5.39%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMSU.L	WOOD.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	5.39%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	14.07%	-1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	17.16%	-1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.58%	16.70%	+4.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.92%	18.19%	+6.73%

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMSU.L has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than WOOD.L's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMSU.L vs. WOOD.L - Dividend Comparison

IMSU.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while WOOD.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IMSU.L iShares S&P 500 Materials Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WOOD.L iShares Global Timber & Forestry UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	2.82%	3.27%	2.47%	2.76%	2.98%	1.40%	1.25%	2.67%	0.00%	0.91%	1.81%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMSU.L and WOOD.L in my portfolio?

IMSU.L and WOOD.L have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IMSU.L or WOOD.L?

On fees, IMSU.L is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMSU.L or WOOD.L?

IMSU.L is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for WOOD.L.

What is the main difference between IMSU.L and WOOD.L?

IMSU.L is categorized as Materials, while WOOD.L is Global Equities. IMSU.L tracks MSCI World/Materials NR USD, while WOOD.L tracks S&P Global Timber & Forestry Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IMSU.L and 0.65% for WOOD.L.