IMTB vs. IWM
IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IMTB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IMTB returned 0.55%/yr vs 6.11%/yr for IWM. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IMTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
IMTB vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IMTB achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return.
IMTB
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- -0.07%
- YTD
- -0.02%
- 6M
- 0.07%
- 1Y
- 5.97%
- 3Y*
- 4.75%
- 5Y*
- 0.55%
- 10Y*
- —
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%
IMTB vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | -0.02% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 6.10% | -12.75% | -1.41% | 6.25% | 8.62% | -0.45% | 4.88% |
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 IMTB and IWM is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2016 | 0.11 |
The correlation between IMTB and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IMTB vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
IMTB
IWM
IMTB vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) 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.
| IMTB | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.34 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 3.56 | -1.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.51 | 12.64 | -6.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IMTB | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.48 | 2.05 | -0.57 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 | 0.27 | -0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.48 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.36 | 0.37 | 0.00 |
Drawdowns
IMTB vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IMTB drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMTB and IWM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IMTB | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.15% | -59.05% | +40.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.86% | -11.03% | +8.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.80% | -27.50% | +20.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.11% | -31.91% | +13.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.13% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.74% | -1.49% | -0.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.13% | -10.77% | +6.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 3.10% | -2.18% |
Volatility
IMTB vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) is 1.45%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that IMTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IMTB | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.45% | 5.75% | -4.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.02% | 13.53% | -10.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.05% | 19.20% | -15.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 22.52% | -16.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.18% | 23.04% | -17.86% |
IMTB vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
IMTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IMTB vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
IMTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.52% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% | 0.00% |
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
IMTB and IWM have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to IMTB (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMTB dropped -18.15% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 5-year performance, IWM leads with 6.11% vs 0.55% for IMTB. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IMTB has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IWM has performed better with a 6.11% return vs 0.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IMTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.
IMTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.52%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.
IMTB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IMTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IMTB and 0.19% for IWM.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.48), 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.
Find the right allocation for IMTB and IWM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer