IYW vs. QTUM
IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - IYW tracks the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index while QTUM tracks the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IYW returned 21.19%/yr vs 28.09%/yr for QTUM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IYW charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.
Performance
IYW vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYW achieves a 22.66% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 47.39% return.
IYW
- 1D
- 0.61%
- 1M
- 1.73%
- YTD
- 22.66%
- 6M
- 23.40%
- 1Y
- 47.94%
- 3Y*
- 32.06%
- 5Y*
- 21.19%
- 10Y*
- 25.63%
QTUM
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- 9.88%
- YTD
- 47.39%
- 6M
- 45.72%
- 1Y
- 82.93%
- 3Y*
- 48.15%
- 5Y*
- 28.09%
- 10Y*
- —
IYW vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 22.66% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | 35.44% | 47.45% | 46.64% | -17.73% |
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | 47.39% | 36.65% | 50.54% | 39.86% | -28.80% | 35.18% | 42.05% | 47.99% | -19.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYW and QTUM is 0.84, 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 | 0.84 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018 | 0.85 |
The correlation between IYW and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IYW vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank
IYW
QTUM
IYW vs. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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.
| IYW | QTUM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.46 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.70 | 5.46 | -2.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.68 | 19.77 | -11.08 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IYW vs. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYW drawdown since its inception was -81.90%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYW and QTUM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IYW | QTUM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.90% | -38.45% | -43.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.81% | -15.26% | -2.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.47% | -25.39% | -1.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.44% | -38.45% | -0.99% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.81% | -4.42% | -1.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.62% | -8.24% | -26.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.54% | 4.21% | +1.33% |
Volatility
IYW vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) is 9.41%, while Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a volatility of 14.18%. This indicates that IYW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IYW | QTUM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.41% | 14.18% | -4.77% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.67% | 23.17% | -5.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.47% | 28.39% | -6.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.07% | 26.99% | -0.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.20% | 27.40% | -2.20% |
IYW vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYW has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYW vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison
IYW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than QTUM's 0.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.31% | 0.56% | 0.72% | 0.92% | 0.82% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | 0.73% | 1.01% | 0.61% | 0.81% | 1.46% | 0.48% | 0.42% | 0.61% | 0.21% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYW and QTUM have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QTUM has higher volatility (14.18%) compared to IYW (9.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYW dropped -81.90% vs QTUM's -38.45%.
On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 28.09% vs 21.19% for IYW. On fees, IYW is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 9.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 28.09% return vs 21.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYW is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.
QTUM has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.
IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYW and 0.40% for QTUM.
QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.24), 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.
Find the right allocation for IYW and QTUM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer