STXE vs. IAK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STXE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, STXE returned 23.32%/yr vs 19.72%/yr for IAK. Their 0.07 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. STXE charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

STXE vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STXE achieves a 31.48% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 10.07% return.

STXE

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.07%
• 6M: 18.30%
• YTD: 31.48%
• 1Y: 56.34%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.35%

IAK

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -0.06%
• 6M: 12.67%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 1Y: 19.63%
• 3Y*: 19.72%
• 5Y*: 15.95%
• 10Y*: 13.45%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	$14.76M	$20.90M	$11.89M
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$412.67K	$566.81K	$571.67K

STXE vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	31.48%	34.23%	2.09%	12.38%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	10.07%	9.50%	28.25%	8.29%

Correlation

The correlation between STXE and IAK is -0.23, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.23
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023	0.07

The correlation between STXE and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to 0.07 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

STXE vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STXE	IAK
Technology	40.3%	-
Financial Services	15.7%	99.3%
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Industrials	5.0%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.4%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Healthcare	0.6%	0.7%
Real Estate	0.4%	-

Return for Risk

STXE vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STXE

STXE Risk / Return Rank: 79
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 53
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 45
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

STXE vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

	STXE	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.17	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	1.72	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.21	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.45	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.29	5.96	+4.33

STXE vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STXE Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STXE and IAK, 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

STXE vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STXE drawdown since its inception was -20.38%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXE and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	STXE	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.38%	-77.38%	+57.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.38%	-7.62%	-12.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.38%	-11.58%	-8.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.76%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.59%	-3.23%	-11.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.95%	-16.01%	+12.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.39%	3.13%	+2.26%

Volatility

STXE vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a higher volatility of 13.05% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 7.03%. This indicates that STXE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STXE	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.05%	7.03%	+6.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.09%	12.43%	+15.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.83%	16.00%	+13.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.17%	18.13%	+2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.17%	20.92%	-0.75%

STXE vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

STXE has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

STXE vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

STXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.91%, less than IAK's 2.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.43%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.91%	2.66%	3.22%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STXE and IAK in my portfolio?

STXE and IAK have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STXE or IAK?

STXE has higher volatility (13.05%) compared to IAK (7.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXE dropped -20.38% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, STXE or IAK?

On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 23.32% vs 19.72% for IAK. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 7.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STXE or IAK?

Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 23.32% return vs 19.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STXE or IAK?

STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IAK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STXE or IAK?

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.43%, compared with 1.91% for STXE.

What is the main difference between STXE and IAK?

STXE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: Strive and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for STXE and 0.38% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.17), 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.