IXN vs. IETC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IXN (iShares Global Tech ETF) and IETC (iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF) are both Technology Equities funds from iShares. IXN is passively managed, while IETC is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IXN returned 20.94%/yr vs 14.77%/yr for IETC. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IETC.

Performance

IXN vs. IETC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) and iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXN achieves a 32.88% return, which is significantly higher than IETC's 3.27% return.

IXN

• 1D: -5.33%
• 1M: 3.10%
• YTD: 32.88%
• 6M: 32.08%
• 1Y: 59.88%
• 3Y*: 32.94%
• 5Y*: 20.94%
• 10Y*: 25.29%

IETC

• 1D: -3.43%
• 1M: -3.33%
• YTD: 3.27%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 25.64%
• 5Y*: 14.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

IXN vs. IETC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF	32.88%	25.25%	24.84%	52.98%	-29.86%	29.58%	43.62%	47.88%	-8.85%
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	3.27%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	29.73%	46.59%	43.09%	-3.75%

Correlation

The correlation between IXN and IETC is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2018	0.94

The correlation between IXN and IETC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXN vs. IETC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXN	IETC
Technology	99.3%	79.5%
Industrials	0.1%	4.3%
Energy	0.1%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	0.1%
Real Estate	0.0%	0.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	3.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IXN vs. IETC — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXN

IXN Risk / Return Rank: 75
IXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
IXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IXN Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
IXN Martin Ratio Rank: 77

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 20
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IETC Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

IXN vs. IETC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) and iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC). 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.

	IXN	IETC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	0.73	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	1.10	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.14	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.36	0.79	+3.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.06	2.15	+11.91

IXN vs. IETC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXN Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is higher than the IETC Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXN and IETC, 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

IXN vs. IETC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXN drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than IETC's maximum drawdown of -38.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXN and IETC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXN	IETC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-38.48%	-17.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.80%	-21.19%	+7.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.55%	-25.17%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.30%	-38.48%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.82%	-11.36%	+4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.26%	-8.14%	-3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	7.79%	-3.52%

Volatility

IXN vs. IETC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) has a higher volatility of 14.03% compared to iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) at 11.06%. This indicates that IXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IETC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXN	IETC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.03%	11.06%	+2.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.54%	18.31%	+3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.21%	22.86%	+2.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	24.86%	+0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.67%	25.50%	-0.83%

IXN vs. IETC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IETC's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXN vs. IETC - Dividend Comparison

IXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, more than IETC's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	0.40%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF	0.79%	1.04%	0.43%	0.55%	0.81%	0.58%	0.63%	1.06%	0.94%	0.93%	1.03%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IXN and IETC in my portfolio?

IXN and IETC have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IXN or IETC?

IXN has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to IETC (11.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXN dropped -55.67% vs IETC's -38.48%.

Which ETF is better, IXN or IETC?

On 5-year performance, IXN leads with 20.94% vs 14.77% for IETC. On fees, IETC is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IETC has been the lower-risk option at 11.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXN or IETC?

Over the 5-year period, IXN has performed better with a 20.94% return vs 14.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXN or IETC?

IETC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXN or IETC?

IXN has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.40% for IETC.

What is the main difference between IXN and IETC?

Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXN and 0.18% for IETC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 0.73), 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.