IWL vs. VOO
IWL (iShares Russell Top 200 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Top 200 Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWL returned 15.95%/yr vs 15.17%/yr for VOO. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. IWL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
IWL vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IWL achieves a 10.37% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IWL having a 15.95% annualized return and VOO not far behind at 15.17%.
IWL
- 1D
- 1.58%
- 1M
- 1.64%
- 6M
- 8.79%
- YTD
- 10.37%
- 1Y
- 22.88%
- 3Y*
- 21.73%
- 5Y*
- 13.51%
- 10Y*
- 15.95%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.72%
VOO
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- YTD
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 23.30%
- 3Y*
- 20.85%
- 5Y*
- 13.12%
- 10Y*
- 15.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $7.35M | $7.08M | $8.77M | |
| $3.97B | $3.80B | $5.49B |
IWL vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF | 10.37% | 19.09% | 27.12% | 29.77% | -19.89% | 27.79% | 22.10% | 31.42% | -3.30% | 22.90% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 11.72% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between IWL and VOO is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.96 |
The correlation between IWL and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
IWL vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IWL
VOO
Technology
Financial Services
Communication Services
Healthcare
Consumer Cyclical
Industrials
Consumer Defensive
Energy
Utilities
Basic Materials
Real Estate
Technology
IWL
VOO
Financial Services
IWL
VOO
Communication Services
IWL
VOO
Healthcare
IWL
VOO
Consumer Cyclical
IWL
VOO
Industrials
IWL
VOO
Consumer Defensive
IWL
VOO
Energy
IWL
VOO
Utilities
IWL
VOO
Basic Materials
IWL
VOO
Real Estate
IWL
VOO
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
IWL vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
IWL
VOO
IWL vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.
| IWL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.33 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.34 | 2.63 | -0.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.39 | 11.23 | -1.84 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IWL vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IWL drawdown since its inception was -32.71%, roughly equal to the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWL and VOO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IWL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.71% | -33.99% | +1.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.83% | -8.90% | -0.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.15% | -18.69% | -0.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.65% | -24.52% | -1.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.71% | -33.99% | +1.28% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.52% | 0.00% | -0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.87% | -3.67% | -0.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 2.08% | +0.36% |
Volatility
IWL vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL) has a higher volatility of 4.30% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.81%. This indicates that IWL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IWL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.30% | 3.81% | +0.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.63% | 10.18% | +0.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.32% | 12.80% | +0.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.34% | 16.95% | +0.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.13% | 18.02% | +0.11% |
IWL vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
IWL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IWL vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
IWL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than VOO's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF | 0.84% | 0.90% | 1.04% | 1.30% | 1.54% | 1.12% | 1.30% | 1.96% | 1.93% | 1.69% | 1.96% | 2.14% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, IWL and VOO 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.
IWL has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to VOO (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWL dropped -32.71% vs VOO's -33.99%.
On 10-year performance, IWL leads with 15.95% vs 15.17% for VOO. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IWL has performed better with a 15.95% return vs 15.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IWL.
VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.84% for IWL.
IWL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. IWL tracks Russell Top 200 Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IWL and 0.03% for VOO.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.73), 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 IWL and VOO
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