IWN vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IWN (iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWN is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Value Index, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWN returned 10.58%/yr vs 15.34%/yr for ITA. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWN charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

IWN vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWN achieves a 20.82% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 8.97% return. Over the past 10 years, IWN has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 10.58%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.34% annualized return.

IWN

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 20.82%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 42.26%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

ITA

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 3.58%
• YTD: 8.97%
• 6M: 11.71%
• 1Y: 30.96%
• 3Y*: 27.30%
• 5Y*: 16.86%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

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

IWN vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	20.82%	12.40%	7.63%	14.56%	-14.77%	27.96%	4.66%	22.01%	-13.01%	7.69%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	8.97%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between IWN and ITA is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between IWN and ITA has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWN vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWN	ITA
Financial Services	24.2%	-
Technology	12.4%	0.1%
Industrials	11.1%	99.8%
Real Estate	10.2%	-
Energy	9.2%	-
Healthcare	8.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	-
Utilities	5.7%	-
Basic Materials	5.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	-
Communication Services	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

IWN vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWN

IWN Risk / Return Rank: 85
IWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
IWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
IWN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
IWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
IWN Martin Ratio Rank: 88

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 44
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 43
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

IWN vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.

	IWN	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.43	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.11	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.25	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.02	1.97	+3.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.91	5.20	+11.71

IWN vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWN Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWN and ITA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IWN vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, roughly equal to the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWN and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWN	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-59.72%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.45%	-15.82%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.70%	-15.82%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.70%	-18.72%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.08%	-51.00%	+4.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.64%	+6.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-9.45%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	5.97%	-3.46%

Volatility

IWN vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) is 5.80%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 9.07%. This indicates that IWN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWN	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	9.07%	-3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	18.47%	-6.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.09%	21.74%	-3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	20.21%	+1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.41%	23.22%	+0.19%

IWN vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWN has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWN vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

IWN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, more than ITA's 0.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.46%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF	1.42%	1.70%	1.80%	2.04%	2.12%	1.48%	1.60%	1.92%	1.99%	1.78%	1.74%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWN and ITA in my portfolio?

IWN and ITA have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWN or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (9.07%) compared to IWN (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWN dropped -61.55% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, IWN or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 15.34% vs 10.58% for IWN. On fees, IWN is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, IWN has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWN or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 15.34% return vs 10.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWN or ITA?

IWN is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ITA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWN or ITA?

IWN has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.46% for ITA.

What is the main difference between IWN and ITA?

IWN is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. IWN tracks Russell 2000 Value Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for IWN and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.43), 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.