IWS vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap 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, IWS returned 10.08%/yr vs 14.86%/yr for ITA. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWS charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

IWS vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) 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, IWS achieves a 13.43% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 5.92% return. Over the past 10 years, IWS has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 10.08%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.86% annualized return.

IWS

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 13.77%
• 1Y: 24.70%
• 3Y*: 16.23%
• 5Y*: 8.15%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

ITA

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 11.28%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 26.35%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 14.86%

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

IWS vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	13.43%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	26.73%	-12.43%	13.14%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	5.92%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between IWS 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	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between IWS and ITA has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWS vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWS	ITA
Technology	18.2%	0.1%
Industrials	16.5%	99.8%
Financial Services	13.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	-
Real Estate	8.2%	-
Energy	7.7%	-
Healthcare	7.5%	-
Utilities	6.5%	-
Basic Materials	5.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Communication Services	3.0%	-

Return for Risk

IWS vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 66
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 36
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

IWS vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) 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.

	IWS	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.22	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	1.81	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.21	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	1.62	+1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.38	4.35	+8.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWS vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWS Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWS 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IWS	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.22	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.81	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.64	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.51	-0.09

Drawdowns

IWS vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWS drawdown since its inception was -62.40%, roughly equal to the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWS and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWS	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.40%	-59.72%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	-15.82%	+8.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.57%	-15.82%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.23%	-18.72%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.83%	-51.00%	+7.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-9.25%	+7.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-9.46%	+1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	5.89%	-3.89%

Volatility

IWS vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) is 3.45%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 7.09%. This indicates that IWS 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

	IWS	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	7.09%	-3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.74%	17.68%	-7.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	21.12%	-7.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	20.07%	-2.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.37%	23.17%	-3.80%

IWS vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWS has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWS vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

IWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, more than ITA's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.47%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.36%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWS and ITA in my portfolio?

IWS 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, IWS or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (7.09%) compared to IWS (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWS dropped -62.40% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, IWS or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 14.86% vs 10.08% for IWS. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWS or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 14.86% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWS or ITA?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ITA.

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

IWS has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.47% for ITA.

What is the main difference between IWS and ITA?

IWS is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. IWS tracks Russell Midcap Value Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for IWS and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.22), 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.