IYW vs. WTAI
IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) and WTAI (WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund) are both Technology Equities funds - IYW tracks the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index while WTAI tracks the WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IYW returned 32.70%/yr vs 37.80%/yr for WTAI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IYW charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for WTAI.
Performance
IYW vs. WTAI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYW achieves a 22.27% return, which is significantly lower than WTAI's 59.44% return.
IYW
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- -1.36%
- YTD
- 22.27%
- 6M
- 20.44%
- 1Y
- 43.57%
- 3Y*
- 32.70%
- 5Y*
- 20.41%
- 10Y*
- 26.29%
WTAI
- 1D
- 4.08%
- 1M
- 7.05%
- YTD
- 59.44%
- 6M
- 58.38%
- 1Y
- 96.65%
- 3Y*
- 37.80%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IYW vs. WTAI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 22.27% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | -0.73% |
WTAI WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund | 59.44% | 34.83% | 6.53% | 46.32% | -42.27% | -1.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYW and WTAI 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2021 | 0.91 |
The correlation between IYW and WTAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IYW vs. WTAI — Risk / Return Rank
IYW
WTAI
IYW vs. WTAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (WTAI). 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 | WTAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.46 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.46 | 6.30 | -3.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.80 | 19.06 | -11.26 |
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Drawdowns
IYW vs. WTAI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYW drawdown since its inception was -81.90%, which is greater than WTAI's maximum drawdown of -45.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYW and WTAI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYW | WTAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.90% | -45.96% | -35.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.81% | -15.42% | -2.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.47% | -31.83% | +5.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.44% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.11% | -3.91% | -2.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.59% | -19.66% | -14.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.60% | 5.09% | +0.51% |
Volatility
IYW vs. WTAI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) is 10.91%, while WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (WTAI) has a volatility of 18.21%. This indicates that IYW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WTAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IYW | WTAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.91% | 18.21% | -7.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.39% | 27.86% | -9.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.28% | 32.74% | -10.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.24% | 31.79% | -5.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.25% | 31.79% | -6.54% |
IYW vs. WTAI - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYW has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than WTAI's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYW vs. WTAI - Dividend Comparison
IYW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than WTAI's 1.13% 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% |
WTAI WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund | 1.13% | 1.81% | 0.19% | 0.24% | 0.22% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, IYW and WTAI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
WTAI has higher volatility (18.21%) compared to IYW (10.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYW dropped -81.90% vs WTAI's -45.96%.
On 3-year performance, WTAI leads with 37.80% vs 32.70% for IYW. On fees, IYW is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 10.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, WTAI has performed better with a 37.80% return vs 32.70%. 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 0.45% for WTAI.
WTAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.13%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.
IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while WTAI tracks WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYW and 0.45% for WTAI.
WTAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 1.97), 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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