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IYW vs. XTN
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYW vs. XTN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) and XTN (SPDR S&P Transportation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while XTN is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYW returned 26.11%/yr vs 10.58%/yr for XTN. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYW charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XTN.

Performance

IYW vs. XTN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYW achieves a 29.03% return, which is significantly higher than XTN's 21.64% return. Over the past 10 years, IYW has outperformed XTN with an annualized return of 26.11%, while XTN has yielded a comparatively lower 10.58% annualized return.

IYW

1D
-0.92%
1M
16.53%
YTD
29.03%
6M
28.22%
1Y
59.52%
3Y*
35.24%
5Y*
22.87%
10Y*
26.11%

XTN

1D
-0.75%
1M
12.22%
YTD
21.64%
6M
22.93%
1Y
44.53%
3Y*
14.95%
5Y*
5.36%
10Y*
10.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYW vs. XTN - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYW
iShares U.S. Technology ETF		29.03%25.38%30.25%65.44%-34.83%35.44%47.45%46.64%-0.93%36.60%
XTN
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF		21.64%6.33%4.86%25.22%-28.10%33.68%12.11%21.85%-17.26%21.55%

Correlation

The correlation between IYW and XTN is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.39

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

0.44

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

0.57

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

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011

0.56

The correlation between IYW and XTN shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares U.S. Technology ETF

SPDR S&P Transportation ETF

Often compared with IYW:
IYW vs. VGTIYW vs. QQQIYW vs. XLKIYW vs. IGMIYW vs. SMHIYW vs. IWFIYW vs. SOXX
Often compared with XTN:
XTN vs. IYTXTN vs. FTXRXTN vs. XTLXTN vs. PEJXTN vs. BIPCXTN vs. CARZXTN vs. PAVE

Return for Risk

IYW vs. XTN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYW
IYW Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
IYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYW Omega Ratio Rank: 8080
Omega Ratio Rank
IYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYW Martin Ratio Rank: 6060
Martin Ratio Rank
XTN
XTN Risk / Return Rank: 4545
Overall Rank
XTN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XTN Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
XTN Omega Ratio Rank: 4242
Omega Ratio Rank
XTN Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
XTN Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
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.

IYW vs. XTN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN). 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.

IYWXTNDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.98
1.60

+1.38

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.70
2.22

+1.47

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.27

+0.21

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.36

2.59

+0.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.00

7.14

+3.85

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYW vs. XTN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYW Sharpe Ratio is 2.98, which is higher than the XTN Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYW and XTN, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IYWXTNDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.98

1.60

+1.38

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.89

0.20

+0.69

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.04

0.41

+0.64

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.35

0.44

-0.09

Drawdowns

IYW vs. XTN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYW drawdown since its inception was -81.90%, which is greater than XTN's maximum drawdown of -43.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYW and XTN.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYWXTNDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-81.90%

-43.77%

-38.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-17.81%

-17.28%

-0.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.47%

-33.69%

+7.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-39.44%

-35.05%

-4.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.44%

-43.77%

+4.33%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.92%

-5.70%

+4.78%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-34.66%

-10.94%

-23.72%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.43%

6.25%

-0.82%

Volatility

IYW vs. XTN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) is 6.30%, while SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) has a volatility of 7.36%. This indicates that IYW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XTN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYWXTNDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.30%

7.36%

-1.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.85%

22.05%

-6.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.09%

28.03%

-7.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.87%

26.83%

-0.96%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.09%

26.19%

-1.10%

IYW vs. XTN - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYW has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than XTN's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYW vs. XTN - Dividend Comparison

IYW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than XTN's 0.66% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
XTN
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF		0.66%0.78%0.93%0.73%1.04%1.02%0.75%1.17%0.98%0.63%0.66%1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYW and XTN have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XTN has higher volatility (7.36%) compared to IYW (6.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYW dropped -81.90% vs XTN's -43.77%.

On 10-year performance, IYW leads with 26.11% vs 10.58% for XTN. On fees, XTN is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 6.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYW has performed better with a 26.11% return vs 10.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XTN is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYW.

XTN has the higher dividend yield at 0.66%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.

IYW is categorized as Technology Equities, while XTN is Transportation Equities. IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while XTN tracks S&P Transportation Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYW and 0.35% for XTN.

IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.98 vs 1.60), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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