IWF vs. FAGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and FAGAX (Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IWF returned 18.49%/yr vs 22.12%/yr for FAGAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWF charges 0.18%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for FAGAX.

Performance

IWF vs. FAGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) and Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWF achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than FAGAX's 16.73% return. Over the past 10 years, IWF has underperformed FAGAX with an annualized return of 18.49%, while FAGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.12% annualized return.

IWF

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 24.80%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

FAGAX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 8.77%
• YTD: 16.73%
• 6M: 17.92%
• 1Y: 40.62%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 22.12%

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

IWF vs. FAGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.11%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%
FAGAX Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A	16.73%	22.17%	38.71%	45.14%	-38.40%	11.31%	68.60%	40.26%	14.87%	34.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IWF and FAGAX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2000	0.92

The correlation between IWF and FAGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWF vs. FAGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

FAGAX

FAGAX Risk / Return Rank: 51
FAGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FAGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
FAGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FAGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
FAGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

IWF vs. FAGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) and Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX). 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.

	IWF	FAGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.29	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.97	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.40	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	2.58	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	9.64	-4.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWF vs. FAGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWF Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the FAGAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWF and FAGAX, 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

	IWF	FAGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.29	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.55	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.93	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.50	-0.10

Drawdowns

IWF vs. FAGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWF drawdown since its inception was -64.25%, roughly equal to the maximum FAGAX drawdown of -65.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWF and FAGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWF	FAGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.25%	-65.24%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.27%	-16.19%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.36%	-26.62%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-44.70%	+11.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-44.70%	+11.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-0.07%	-1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.08%	-15.20%	-6.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.86%	4.33%	+0.53%

Volatility

IWF vs. FAGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) is 3.61%, while Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that IWF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWF	FAGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	4.48%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.66%	14.26%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.44%	18.26%	-2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.40%	24.84%	-3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	23.89%	-2.92%

IWF vs. FAGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWF has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FAGAX's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWF vs. FAGAX - Dividend Comparison

IWF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than FAGAX's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAGAX Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A	3.52%	4.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	10.19%	5.45%	4.10%	11.99%	7.67%	15.44%	11.12%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWF and FAGAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, IWF and FAGAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IWF or FAGAX?

FAGAX has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to IWF (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWF dropped -64.25% vs FAGAX's -65.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.67), 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.