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IXP vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXP vs. IWM

Last updated Jul 15, 2026
Documentation

IXP (iShares Global Comm Services ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXP is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXP returned 8.71%/yr vs 10.80%/yr for IWM. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXP charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

IXP vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXP achieves a -1.89% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.14% return. Over the past 10 years, IXP has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.71%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.80% annualized return.

IXP

1D
0.45%
1M
-0.23%
6M
-1.76%
YTD
-1.89%
1Y
10.49%
3Y*
21.12%
5Y*
8.07%
10Y*
8.71%

IWM

1D
0.35%
1M
0.77%
6M
13.16%
YTD
20.14%
1Y
33.33%
3Y*
16.79%
5Y*
7.57%
10Y*
10.80%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXP vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXP
iShares Global Comm Services ETF		-1.89%29.27%31.33%38.80%-33.40%12.77%22.16%25.23%-13.67%6.65%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		20.14%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between IXP and IWM is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.48

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.53

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.61

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2001

0.62

The correlation between IXP and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXP vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXP
IWM

Communication Services

99.3%
2.0%

Technology

2.0%
14.9%

Real Estate

0.5%
6.3%

Consumer Cyclical

0.2%
8.9%

Basic Materials

-

4.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.5%

Energy

-

5.7%

Financial Services

-

18.1%

Healthcare

-

20.1%

Industrials

-

13.8%

Utilities

-

2.9%

Communication Services

IXP
99.3%
IWM
2.0%

Technology

IXP
2.0%
IWM
14.9%

Real Estate

IXP
0.5%
IWM
6.3%

Consumer Cyclical

IXP
0.2%
IWM
8.9%

Basic Materials

IXP

-

IWM
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

IXP

-

IWM
2.5%

Energy

IXP

-

IWM
5.7%

Financial Services

IXP

-

IWM
18.1%

Healthcare

IXP

-

IWM
20.1%

Industrials

IXP

-

IWM
13.8%

Utilities

IXP

-

IWM
2.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Comm Services ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with IXP:
IXP vs. XLCIXP vs. FCOMIXP vs. IYZIXP vs. VOOIXP vs. QQQIXP vs. IYWIXP vs. VTI
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWO

Return for Risk

IXP vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXP
IXP Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
IXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXP Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXP Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 5959
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXP vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

IXPIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.70
1.72

-1.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.13
2.44

-1.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.29

-0.16

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.86

3.04

-2.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.45

10.73

-8.28

IXP vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXP Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXP and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IXP vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXP drawdown since its inception was -50.11%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXP and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXPIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.11%

-59.05%

+8.94%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.26%

-11.03%

-1.23%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.54%

-27.50%

+9.96%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-44.30%

-31.91%

-12.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.30%

-41.13%

-3.17%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.00%

-1.98%

-4.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.89%

-10.73%

-1.16%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.29%

3.12%

+1.17%

Volatility

IXP vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 3.88%. This indicates that IXP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXPIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.29%

3.88%

+1.41%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.58%

14.18%

-2.60%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.09%

19.50%

-4.41%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.11%

22.55%

-3.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.50%

23.00%

-4.50%

IXP vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXP has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXP vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

IXP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.90%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
IXP
iShares Global Comm Services ETF		3.33%2.98%1.35%1.24%0.62%1.80%0.95%2.18%4.32%3.41%4.02%3.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXP and IWM have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IXP has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to IWM (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXP dropped -50.11% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.80% vs 8.71% for IXP. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.80% return vs 8.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IXP.

IXP has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.

IXP is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. IXP tracks S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IXP and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.70), 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.

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