IWMW vs. ISPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWMW (iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF) and ISPY (ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF) are both Derivative Income funds - IWMW tracks the Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index while ISPY tracks the S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IWMW returned 24.62% vs 25.33% for ISPY. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWMW charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ISPY.

Performance

IWMW vs. ISPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) and ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWMW achieves a 8.49% return, which is significantly lower than ISPY's 9.60% return.

IWMW

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 8.49%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 24.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISPY

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 9.60%
• 6M: 9.77%
• 1Y: 25.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IWMW vs. ISPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF	8.49%	7.82%	6.09%
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	9.60%	13.15%	15.45%

Correlation

The correlation between IWMW and ISPY is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2024	0.73

The correlation between IWMW and ISPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWMW vs. ISPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWMW	ISPY
Technology	19.2%	32.3%
Industrials	17.6%	6.4%
Healthcare	16.6%	7.2%
Financial Services	16.0%	19.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	8.4%
Energy	6.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	5.8%	1.6%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.5%
Utilities	3.1%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	4.0%
Communication Services	2.0%	9.0%

Return for Risk

IWMW vs. ISPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWMW

IWMW Risk / Return Rank: 64
IWMW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWMW Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
IWMW Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IWMW Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IWMW Martin Ratio Rank: 67

ISPY

ISPY Risk / Return Rank: 64
ISPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
ISPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ISPY Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ISPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ISPY Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

IWMW vs. ISPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) and ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY). 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.

	IWMW	ISPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.22	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.94	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	3.02	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.33	12.90	-0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWMW vs. ISPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWMW Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the ISPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWMW and ISPY, 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

	IWMW	ISPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	2.22	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	1.41	-0.77

Drawdowns

IWMW vs. ISPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWMW drawdown since its inception was -21.82%, which is greater than ISPY's maximum drawdown of -16.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWMW and ISPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWMW	ISPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.82%	-16.88%	-4.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.94%	-8.43%	+1.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.71%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-2.08%	-1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	1.97%	+0.03%

Volatility

IWMW vs. ISPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) is 3.03%, while ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that IWMW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWMW	ISPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	3.72%	-0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.75%	8.62%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.32%	11.47%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	13.56%	+2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.12%	13.56%	+2.56%

IWMW vs. ISPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWMW has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than ISPY's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWMW vs. ISPY - Dividend Comparison

IWMW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.40%, more than ISPY's 4.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	4.41%	8.56%	9.84%
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF	22.40%	20.98%	17.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWMW and ISPY in my portfolio?

IWMW and ISPY have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWMW or ISPY?

ISPY has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to IWMW (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWMW dropped -21.82% vs ISPY's -16.88%.

Which ETF is better, IWMW or ISPY?

On 1-year performance, ISPY leads with 25.33% vs 24.62% for IWMW. On fees, IWMW is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IWMW has been the lower-risk option at 3.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWMW or ISPY?

Over the 1-year period, ISPY has performed better with a 25.33% return vs 24.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWMW or ISPY?

IWMW is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ISPY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWMW or ISPY?

IWMW has the higher dividend yield at 22.40%, compared with 4.41% for ISPY.

What is the main difference between IWMW and ISPY?

IWMW tracks Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index, while ISPY tracks S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IWMW and 0.55% for ISPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.01), 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.