IRBO vs. IWM
IRBO (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IRBO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IRBO returned 10.52%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for IWM. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IRBO charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
IRBO vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IRBO achieves a 43.11% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 20.84% return.
IRBO
- 1D
- 3.39%
- 1M
- -3.07%
- 6M
- 32.62%
- YTD
- 43.11%
- 1Y
- 63.16%
- 3Y*
- 28.37%
- 5Y*
- 10.52%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.10%
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35.64M | $36.90M | $59.33M | |
| $6.77B | $6.36B | $7.44B |
IRBO vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF | 43.11% | 29.97% | 8.02% | 36.37% | -37.89% | 6.32% | 48.85% | 34.47% | -13.76% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 20.84% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -17.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between IRBO and IWM is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.77 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2018 | 0.77 |
The correlation between IRBO and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
IRBO vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IRBO
IWM
Technology
Communication Services
Industrials
Utilities
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Financial Services
-
Technology
IRBO
IWM
Communication Services
IRBO
IWM
Industrials
IRBO
IWM
Utilities
IRBO
IWM
Consumer Cyclical
IRBO
IWM
Real Estate
IRBO
IWM
Consumer Defensive
IRBO
IWM
Healthcare
IRBO
IWM
Basic Materials
IRBO
-
IWM
Energy
IRBO
-
IWM
Financial Services
IRBO
-
IWM
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Return for Risk
IRBO vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
IRBO
IWM
IRBO vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) 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.
| IRBO | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.34 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.64 | 3.58 | -0.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.49 | 12.68 | -4.19 |
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Drawdowns
IRBO vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IRBO | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.50% | -59.05% | +4.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.00% | -11.03% | -12.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -32.44% | -27.50% | -4.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.53% | -31.91% | -18.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.13% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.61% | -1.41% | -13.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.68% | -10.71% | -8.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.46% | 3.11% | +4.35% |
Volatility
IRBO vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (IRBO) has a higher volatility of 14.41% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 4.21%. This indicates that IRBO'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.
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Volatility by Period
| IRBO | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.41% | 4.21% | +10.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.09% | 14.13% | +18.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 37.42% | 19.36% | +18.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.34% | 22.50% | +7.84% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.65% | 23.02% | +5.63% |
IRBO vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
IRBO has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
IRBO vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
IRBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, less than IWM's 0.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRBO iShares Future AI & Tech ETF | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.50% | 0.88% | 0.75% | 2.41% | 0.53% | 0.69% | 0.34% | 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
IRBO and IWM have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IRBO has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to IWM (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 5-year performance, IRBO leads with 10.52% vs 7.64% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IRBO has performed better with a 10.52% return vs 7.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IRBO.
IWM has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.06% for IRBO.
IRBO is categorized as Artificial Intelligence, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IRBO tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IRBO and 0.19% for IWM.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.70), 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.
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