IWMW vs. IWMY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWMW (iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF) and IWMY (Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWMW is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index, while IWMY is a Options Trading fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IWMW returned 24.62% vs 23.33% for IWMY. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWMW charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for IWMY.

Performance

IWMW vs. IWMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). 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 IWMY's 12.25% return.

IWMW

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

IWMY

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 10.99%
• 1Y: 23.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IWMW vs. IWMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF	8.49%	7.82%	6.09%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	12.25%	10.18%	5.59%

Correlation

The correlation between IWMW and IWMY is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2024	0.87

The correlation between IWMW and IWMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWMW vs. IWMY — 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

IWMY

IWMY Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
IWMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
IWMY Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IWMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IWMY Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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. IWMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY). 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	IWMY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.49	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.02	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.26	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	2.03	+1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.33	6.66	+5.67
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. IWMY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWMW Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the IWMY Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWMW and IWMY, 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	IWMY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	1.49	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.95	-0.31

Drawdowns

IWMW vs. IWMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWMW drawdown since its inception was -21.82%, which is greater than IWMY's maximum drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWMW and IWMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWMW	IWMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.82%	-18.72%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.94%	-11.57%	+4.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-1.36%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-2.98%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	3.51%	-1.51%

Volatility

IWMW vs. IWMY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) is 3.03%, while Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (IWMY) has a volatility of 5.42%. This indicates that IWMW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWMW	IWMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	5.42%	-2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.75%	12.62%	-3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.32%	15.69%	-3.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	15.75%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.12%	15.75%	+0.37%

IWMW vs. IWMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWMW has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than IWMY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWMW vs. IWMY - Dividend Comparison

IWMW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.40%, less than IWMY's 45.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IWMW iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF	22.40%	20.98%	17.73%	0.00%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF	45.96%	63.33%	107.92%	11.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWMW and IWMY in my portfolio?

IWMW and IWMY have a correlation of 0.86, 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 IWMY?

IWMY has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to IWMW (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWMW dropped -21.82% vs IWMY's -18.72%.

Which ETF is better, IWMW or IWMY?

On 1-year performance, IWMW leads with 24.62% vs 23.33% for IWMY. 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 IWMY?

Over the 1-year period, IWMW has performed better with a 24.62% return vs 23.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWMW or IWMY?

IWMW is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IWMY.

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

IWMY has the higher dividend yield at 45.96%, compared with 22.40% for IWMW.

What is the main difference between IWMW and IWMY?

IWMW is categorized as Derivative Income, while IWMY is Options Trading. IWMW tracks Cboe FTSE Russell IWM 2% OTM BuyWrite Index, while IWMY tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IWMW and 0.99% for IWMY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWMW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.49), 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.