IWM vs. TMF
IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) and TMF (Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while TMF is a Leveraged Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWM returned 10.65%/yr vs -17.99%/yr for TMF. At a correlation of -0.23, they often move in opposite directions. IWM charges 0.19%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for TMF.
Performance
IWM vs. TMF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IWM achieves a 19.24% return, which is significantly higher than TMF's -11.04% return. Over the past 10 years, IWM has outperformed TMF with an annualized return of 10.65%, while TMF has yielded a comparatively lower -17.99% annualized return.
IWM
- 1D
- -0.59%
- 1M
- -1.11%
- 6M
- 10.45%
- YTD
- 19.24%
- 1Y
- 32.84%
- 3Y*
- 15.91%
- 5Y*
- 6.97%
- 10Y*
- 10.65%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.76%
TMF
- 1D
- -2.07%
- 1M
- -9.25%
- 6M
- -12.35%
- YTD
- -11.04%
- 1Y
- -4.28%
- 3Y*
- -21.59%
- 5Y*
- -33.52%
- 10Y*
- -17.99%
- ALL TIME*
- -6.34%
IWM vs. TMF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 19.24% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF | -11.04% | -2.94% | -35.95% | -13.01% | -72.60% | -19.80% | 39.02% | 34.75% | -11.01% | 22.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between IWM and TMF is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2009 | -0.23 |
The correlation between IWM and TMF shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IWM vs. TMF — Risk / Return Rank
IWM
TMF
IWM vs. TMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF). 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.
| IWM | TMF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.00 | +0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.99 | -0.16 | +3.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.54 | -0.32 | +10.87 |
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Drawdowns
IWM vs. TMF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IWM drawdown since its inception was -59.05%, smaller than the maximum TMF drawdown of -92.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWM and TMF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IWM | TMF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.05% | -92.89% | +33.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.03% | -26.51% | +15.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.50% | -53.47% | +25.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.91% | -88.81% | +56.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.13% | -92.89% | +51.76% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.71% | -92.64% | +89.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.72% | -43.97% | +33.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.12% | 13.22% | -10.10% |
Volatility
IWM vs. TMF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is 3.62%, while Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) has a volatility of 7.53%. This indicates that IWM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TMF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IWM | TMF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.62% | 7.53% | -3.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.17% | 19.87% | -5.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.38% | 27.62% | -8.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.49% | 46.39% | -23.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.00% | 43.72% | -20.72% |
IWM vs. TMF - Expense Ratio Comparison
IWM has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than TMF's 1.01% expense ratio.
Dividends
IWM vs. TMF - Dividend Comparison
IWM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than TMF's 4.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.91% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF | 4.44% | 4.06% | 4.29% | 2.82% | 1.62% | 0.13% | 2.23% | 0.94% | 1.49% | 0.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IWM and TMF have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TMF has higher volatility (7.53%) compared to IWM (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWM dropped -59.05% vs TMF's -92.89%.
On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.65% vs -17.99% for TMF. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 3.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.65% return vs -17.99%. 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 1.01% for TMF.
TMF has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 0.91% for IWM.
IWM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while TMF is Leveraged Bonds. IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index, while TMF tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWM and 1.01% for TMF.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.16), 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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