IWY vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IWY (iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWY returned 19.28%/yr vs 25.14%/yr for VGT. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

IWY vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWY achieves a 4.27% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 24.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IWY has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 19.28%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.14% annualized return.

IWY

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 4.27%
• 6M: 3.32%
• 1Y: 22.42%
• 3Y*: 24.39%
• 5Y*: 15.70%
• 10Y*: 19.28%

VGT

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 4.28%
• YTD: 24.57%
• 6M: 21.33%
• 1Y: 50.38%
• 3Y*: 31.24%
• 5Y*: 20.82%
• 10Y*: 25.14%

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

IWY vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	4.27%	18.19%	34.89%	46.49%	-29.91%	31.05%	39.01%	36.20%	-0.72%	31.69%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	24.57%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between IWY and VGT is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2009	0.93

The correlation between IWY and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWY vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWY	VGT
Technology	54.9%	98.5%
Communication Services	13.9%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	0.1%
Healthcare	6.6%	0.0%
Financial Services	5.6%	0.5%
Industrials	4.0%	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	0.0%
Energy	0.0%	0.3%

Return for Risk

IWY vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWY

IWY Risk / Return Rank: 39
IWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
IWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
IWY Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IWY Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 71
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

IWY vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	IWY	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.35	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.89	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.35	3.09	-1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.40	9.77	-5.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWY vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWY Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWY and VGT, 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

	IWY	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.35	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.83	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	1.02	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.67	+0.24

Drawdowns

IWY vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWY drawdown since its inception was -32.68%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWY and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWY	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-54.63%	+21.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.63%	-16.40%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-27.23%	+4.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.68%	-35.07%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.68%	-35.07%	+2.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.51%	-6.77%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.75%	-7.95%	+3.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.11%	5.17%	-0.06%

Volatility

IWY vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) is 4.80%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 9.39%. This indicates that IWY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWY	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	9.39%	-4.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	17.44%	-5.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.86%	21.58%	-5.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	25.33%	-3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.00%	24.69%	-3.69%

IWY vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWY has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IWY vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

IWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, more than VGT's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	0.34%	0.36%	0.42%	0.68%	0.88%	0.50%	0.71%	1.06%	1.32%	1.26%	1.51%	1.58%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.33%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWY and VGT in my portfolio?

IWY and VGT have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWY or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (9.39%) compared to IWY (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWY dropped -32.68% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, IWY or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 25.14% vs 19.28% for IWY. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IWY has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWY or VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 25.14% return vs 19.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWY or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for IWY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWY or VGT?

IWY and VGT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.34%.

What is the main difference between IWY and VGT?

IWY is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VGT is Technology Equities. IWY tracks Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IWY and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.42), 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.