SPY vs. IWF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IWF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPY returned 15.42%/yr vs 18.17%/yr for IWF. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IWF.

Performance

SPY vs. IWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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, SPY achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly higher than IWF's 2.87% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has underperformed IWF with an annualized return of 15.42%, while IWF has yielded a comparatively higher 18.17% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

IWF

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 3.39%
• 1Y: 18.87%
• 3Y*: 22.33%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 18.17%

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

SPY vs. IWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	2.87%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and IWF is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000	0.93

The correlation between SPY and IWF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPY vs. IWF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	IWF
Technology	35.9%	53.2%
Financial Services	11.8%	4.9%
Communication Services	11.3%	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	12.7%
Healthcare	8.4%	7.0%
Industrials	7.8%	5.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	2.5%
Energy	3.6%	0.4%
Utilities	2.4%	1.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	0.3%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. IWF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 33
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SPY vs. IWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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.

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.

	SPY	IWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.19	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	1.66	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.21	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	1.16	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	3.83	+8.56

SPY vs. IWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the IWF Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY 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.

Drawdowns

SPY vs. IWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, smaller than the maximum IWF drawdown of -64.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and IWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	IWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-64.25%	+9.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-16.27%	+7.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-23.36%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-32.72%	+8.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-32.72%	-1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-5.56%	+3.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-22.06%	+13.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	4.93%	-2.96%

Volatility

SPY vs. IWF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 4.34%, while iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) has a volatility of 5.36%. This indicates that SPY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	IWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	5.36%	-1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	12.40%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	15.95%	-3.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	21.46%	-4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	21.00%	-3.04%

SPY vs. IWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IWF's 0.18% 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

SPY vs. IWF - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than IWF's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.35%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPY and IWF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SPY and IWF 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, SPY or IWF?

IWF has higher volatility (5.36%) compared to SPY (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs IWF's -64.25%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or IWF?

On 10-year performance, IWF leads with 18.17% vs 15.42% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or IWF?

Over the 10-year period, IWF has performed better with a 18.17% return vs 15.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or IWF?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IWF.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.35% for IWF.

What is the main difference between SPY and IWF?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while IWF is Large Cap Growth Equities. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while IWF tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.18% for IWF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.19), 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.