IRTR vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IRTR is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. IRTR is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.84% vs 41.60% for IWM. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IRTR charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

IRTR vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) 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, IRTR achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.84% return.

IRTR

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 41.60%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 6.43%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

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

IRTR vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.36%	12.70%	7.59%	10.63%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.84%	12.66%	11.38%	19.47%

Correlation

The correlation between IRTR and IWM is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.75

The correlation between IRTR and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IRTR vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IRTR	IWM
Technology	26.8%	19.5%
Financial Services	15.0%	15.8%
Industrials	12.6%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	7.8%
Communication Services	8.0%	2.0%
Healthcare	7.7%	15.8%
Energy	4.9%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	2.1%
Utilities	4.3%	3.0%
Basic Materials	3.8%	4.5%
Real Estate	3.5%	5.7%

Return for Risk

IRTR vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRTR

IRTR Risk / Return Rank: 70
IRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
IRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
IRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 68
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

IRTR vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) 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.

	IRTR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.18	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.00	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.36	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.79	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	13.45	-0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IRTR vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRTR 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

	IRTR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.18	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.37	+1.65

Drawdowns

IRTR vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRTR	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-59.05%	+52.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.82%	-11.03%	+6.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.50%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.01%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-10.77%	+9.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	3.10%	-2.01%

Volatility

IRTR vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) is 2.12%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.70%. This indicates that IRTR 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.

Volatility by Period

	IRTR	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	5.70%	-3.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	13.60%	-8.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	19.19%	-13.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.03%	22.53%	-15.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.03%	23.04%	-16.01%

IRTR vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRTR has a 0.08% 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

IRTR vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	2.99%	3.03%	3.03%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.87%	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 IRTR and IWM in my portfolio?

IRTR and IWM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IRTR or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to IRTR (2.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, IRTR or IWM?

On 1-year performance, IWM leads with 41.60% vs 13.84% for IRTR. On fees, IRTR is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IRTR has been the lower-risk option at 2.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRTR or IWM?

Over the 1-year period, IWM has performed better with a 41.60% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRTR or IWM?

IRTR is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

IRTR has the higher dividend yield at 2.99%, compared with 0.87% for IWM.

What is the main difference between IRTR and IWM?

IRTR is categorized as Target Retirement Date, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for IRTR and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.18), 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.