POWR vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - POWR is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. POWR is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, POWR returned 8.66%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. POWR charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

POWR vs. IWM - 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 2000 ETF (IWM). 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 IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 8.66%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% 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%

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

POWR vs. IWM - 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%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and IWM is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.53

The correlation between POWR and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

POWR vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POWR	IWM
Utilities	52.8%	3.0%
Industrials	26.6%	17.1%
Energy	17.3%	6.0%
Technology	2.9%	19.5%
Basic Materials	1.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	-	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.1%
Financial Services	-	15.8%
Healthcare	-	15.8%
Real Estate	-	5.7%

Return for Risk

POWR vs. IWM — 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

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. IWM - 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 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.

	POWR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.05	-0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.85	-0.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.85	3.56	+1.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.19	12.64	-0.46
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. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	POWR	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.05	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.27	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.48	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.37	-0.18

Drawdowns

POWR vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-59.05%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-11.03%	+5.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-27.50%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-31.91%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-41.13%	-22.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-1.49%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-10.77%	-7.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	3.10%	-0.72%

Volatility

POWR vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 5.80% and 5.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POWR	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	5.75%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	13.53%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	19.20%	-2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.08%	22.52%	+0.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.62%	23.04%	+2.58%

POWR vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

POWR vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.67%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%
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 IWM in my portfolio?

POWR and IWM have a correlation of 0.47, 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 IWM?

POWR has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to IWM (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, POWR or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 8.66% for POWR. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POWR or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% 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 IWM?

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

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

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 6.67%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between POWR and IWM?

POWR is categorized as Utilities Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for POWR and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.74), 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.