SPXN vs. IWL

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SPXN (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF) and IWL (iShares Russell Top 200 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXN is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Ex-Financials and Real Estate Index, while IWL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Top 200 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXN returned 16.16%/yr vs 16.52%/yr for IWL. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPXN charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IWL.

Performance

SPXN vs. IWL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) and iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXN achieves a 12.64% return, which is significantly higher than IWL's 9.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPXN having a 16.16% annualized return and IWL not far ahead at 16.52%.

SPXN

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 12.64%
• 6M: 13.30%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 21.71%
• 5Y*: 14.66%
• 10Y*: 16.16%

IWL

• 1D: 1.85%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 10.53%
• 1Y: 27.79%
• 3Y*: 22.12%
• 5Y*: 14.51%
• 10Y*: 16.52%

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

SPXN vs. IWL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	12.64%	18.74%	24.35%	28.57%	-18.87%	27.04%	22.15%	31.50%	-3.85%	20.84%
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF	9.79%	19.09%	27.12%	29.77%	-19.89%	27.79%	22.10%	31.42%	-3.30%	22.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXN and IWL is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.83

The correlation between SPXN and IWL shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.99 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPXN vs. IWL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXN	IWL
Technology	43.7%	41.8%
Communication Services	11.7%	12.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	9.7%
Healthcare	10.1%	8.5%
Industrials	9.1%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	4.5%
Energy	3.8%	2.4%
Utilities	3.0%	1.2%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.4%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

SPXN vs. IWL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXN

SPXN Risk / Return Rank: 78
SPXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SPXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPXN Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SPXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SPXN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IWL

IWL Risk / Return Rank: 71
IWL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
IWL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IWL Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IWL Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IWL Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SPXN vs. IWL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) and iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL). 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.

	SPXN	IWL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.19	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.94	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	2.84	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.99	12.27	+2.72

SPXN vs. IWL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXN Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the IWL Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXN and IWL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPXN vs. IWL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXN drawdown since its inception was -32.10%, roughly equal to the maximum IWL drawdown of -32.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXN and IWL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXN	IWL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.10%	-32.71%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-9.83%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.56%	-19.15%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.47%	-25.65%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.10%	-32.71%	+0.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.41%	-1.04%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.00%	-3.88%	-0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	2.27%	-0.17%

Volatility

SPXN vs. IWL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) and iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL) have volatilities of 5.00% and 4.80%, 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

	SPXN	IWL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	4.80%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.59%	10.03%	+0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	12.77%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	17.26%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.70%	18.13%	-0.43%

SPXN vs. IWL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXN has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IWL's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPXN vs. IWL - Dividend Comparison

SPXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than IWL's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF	1.04%	0.90%	1.04%	1.30%	1.54%	1.12%	1.30%	1.96%	1.93%	1.69%	1.96%	2.14%
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	0.88%	0.98%	1.12%	1.19%	1.35%	0.94%	1.09%	1.41%	1.76%	1.54%	2.60%	0.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXN and IWL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SPXN and IWL 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.

Which is riskier, SPXN or IWL?

SPXN has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to IWL (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXN dropped -32.10% vs IWL's -32.71%.

Which ETF is better, SPXN or IWL?

On 10-year performance, IWL leads with 16.52% vs 16.16% for SPXN. On fees, SPXN is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IWL has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXN or IWL?

Over the 10-year period, IWL has performed better with a 16.52% return vs 16.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXN or IWL?

SPXN is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IWL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXN or IWL?

IWL has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.88% for SPXN.

What is the main difference between SPXN and IWL?

SPXN is categorized as S&P 500, while IWL is Large Cap Growth Equities. SPXN tracks S&P 500 Ex-Financials and Real Estate Index, while IWL tracks Russell Top 200 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPXN and 0.15% for IWL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.19), 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.