SPY vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPY returned 15.49%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

SPY vs. IWM - 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 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 10.91% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 15.49%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.93% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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)

SPY vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
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 SPY and IWM is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2000	0.85

The correlation between SPY and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPY vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	IWM
Technology	35.9%	19.5%
Financial Services	11.8%	15.8%
Communication Services	11.3%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	7.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	15.8%
Industrials	7.8%	17.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	2.1%
Energy	3.6%	6.0%
Utilities	2.4%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	5.7%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.5%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. IWM — 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: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SPY vs. IWM - 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 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.

	SPY	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.05	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.85	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.34	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	3.56	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.72	12.64	+2.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPY vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY 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

	SPY	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.05	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.27	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.48	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.37	+0.22

Drawdowns

SPY vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-59.05%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-11.03%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-27.50%	+8.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-31.91%	+7.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-41.13%	+7.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-1.49%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.05%	-10.77%	+1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	3.10%	-1.19%

Volatility

SPY vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 2.84%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that SPY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	5.75%	-2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	13.53%	-4.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	19.20%	-7.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.05%	22.52%	-5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	23.04%	-5.10%

SPY vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% 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. IWM - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 IWM in my portfolio?

SPY and IWM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPY or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or IWM?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 10.93% for IWM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 10.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or IWM?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between SPY and IWM?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.05), 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.