POWR vs. IWF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) and IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - POWR is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IWF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. POWR is actively managed, while IWF is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, POWR returned 8.66%/yr vs 18.49%/yr for IWF. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. POWR charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWF.

Performance

POWR vs. IWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POWR achieves a 18.53% return, which is significantly higher than IWF's 7.11% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed IWF with an annualized return of 8.66%, while IWF has yielded a comparatively higher 18.49% annualized return.

POWR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: 18.53%
• 6M: 15.28%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 15.16%
• 10Y*: 8.66%

IWF

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 24.80%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

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

POWR vs. IWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	18.53%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.11%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and IWF is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.38

The correlation between POWR and IWF shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (3 years) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

POWR vs. IWF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POWR	IWF
Utilities	52.8%	1.1%
Industrials	26.6%	5.0%
Energy	17.3%	0.4%
Technology	2.9%	53.2%
Basic Materials	1.0%	0.3%
Communication Services	-	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.5%
Financial Services	-	4.9%
Healthcare	-	7.0%
Real Estate	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

POWR vs. IWF — Risk / Return Rank

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

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 59
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 66

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

POWR vs. IWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). 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.

	POWR	IWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.67	+0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.29	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.29	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.85	1.58	+3.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.19	5.28	+6.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

POWR vs. IWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the IWF Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR and IWF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	POWR	IWF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.67	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.72	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.88	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.40	-0.21

Drawdowns

POWR vs. IWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, roughly equal to the maximum IWF drawdown of -64.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and IWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	IWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-64.25%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-16.27%	+10.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-23.36%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-32.72%	+7.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-32.72%	-30.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-1.66%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-22.08%	+3.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	4.86%	-2.48%

Volatility

POWR vs. IWF - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) has a higher volatility of 5.80% compared to iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) at 3.61%. This indicates that POWR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POWR	IWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	3.61%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	11.66%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	15.44%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.08%	21.40%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.62%	20.97%	+4.65%

POWR vs. IWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

POWR has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IWF's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

POWR vs. IWF - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.67%, more than IWF's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	6.67%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POWR and IWF in my portfolio?

POWR and IWF have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POWR or IWF?

POWR has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to IWF (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs IWF's -64.25%.

Which ETF is better, POWR or IWF?

On 10-year performance, IWF leads with 18.49% vs 8.66% for POWR. On fees, IWF is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWF has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POWR or IWF?

Over the 10-year period, IWF has performed better with a 18.49% return vs 8.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POWR or IWF?

IWF is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for POWR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, POWR or IWF?

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 6.67%, compared with 0.33% for IWF.

What is the main difference between POWR and IWF?

POWR is categorized as Utilities Equities, while IWF is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for POWR and 0.19% for IWF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.67), 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.