WRND vs. FWD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WRND (IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF) and FWD (AB Disruptors ETF) are both Global Equities funds. WRND is passively managed, while FWD is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, WRND returned 22.64%/yr vs 39.48%/yr for FWD. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WRND charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FWD.

Performance

WRND vs. FWD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) and AB Disruptors ETF (FWD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WRND achieves a 16.08% return, which is significantly lower than FWD's 40.11% return.

WRND

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 16.08%
• 6M: 16.09%
• 1Y: 39.52%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FWD

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 14.15%
• YTD: 40.11%
• 6M: 39.78%
• 1Y: 75.95%
• 3Y*: 39.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WRND vs. FWD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WRND IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF	16.08%	27.72%	13.46%	21.81%
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	40.11%	32.00%	29.23%	25.66%

Correlation

The correlation between WRND and FWD is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.84

The correlation between WRND and FWD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

WRND vs. FWD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WRND	FWD
Technology	49.9%	52.6%
Industrials	14.0%	17.7%
Communication Services	13.2%	2.6%
Healthcare	11.7%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	0.8%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.8%
Energy	-	2.6%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	0.7%
Utilities	-	1.0%

Return for Risk

WRND vs. FWD — Risk / Return Rank

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

WRND

WRND Risk / Return Rank: 69
WRND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
WRND Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
WRND Omega Ratio Rank: 67
WRND Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
WRND Martin Ratio Rank: 72

FWD

FWD Risk / Return Rank: 87
FWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FWD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FWD Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

WRND vs. FWD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) and AB Disruptors ETF (FWD). 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.

	WRND	FWD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	3.16	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	3.78	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.50	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	5.86	-2.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.52	20.83	-7.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WRND vs. FWD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WRND Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the FWD Sharpe Ratio of 3.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WRND and FWD, 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

	WRND	FWD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	3.16	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	1.67	-0.86

Drawdowns

WRND vs. FWD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WRND drawdown since its inception was -27.16%, smaller than the maximum FWD drawdown of -29.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WRND and FWD.

Drawdown Indicators

	WRND	FWD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.16%	-29.02%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-13.03%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.41%	-29.02%	+10.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.27%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.97%	-4.06%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.66%	-0.73%

Volatility

WRND vs. FWD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) is 4.77%, while AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) has a volatility of 7.77%. This indicates that WRND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FWD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WRND	FWD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.77%	7.77%	-3.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.45%	18.96%	-5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	24.15%	-7.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.79%	24.72%	-5.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	24.72%	-5.93%

WRND vs. FWD - Expense Ratio Comparison

WRND has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FWD's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

WRND vs. FWD - Dividend Comparison

WRND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, more than FWD's 0.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	0.08%	0.11%	1.89%	0.00%	0.00%
WRND IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF	0.99%	1.29%	1.15%	2.06%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WRND and FWD in my portfolio?

WRND and FWD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WRND or FWD?

FWD has higher volatility (7.77%) compared to WRND (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WRND dropped -27.16% vs FWD's -29.02%.

Which ETF is better, WRND or FWD?

On 3-year performance, FWD leads with 39.48% vs 22.64% for WRND. On fees, WRND is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, WRND has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WRND or FWD?

Over the 3-year period, FWD has performed better with a 39.48% return vs 22.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WRND or FWD?

WRND is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FWD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WRND or FWD?

WRND has the higher dividend yield at 0.99%, compared with 0.08% for FWD.

What is the main difference between WRND and FWD?

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for WRND and 0.65% for FWD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FWD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 2.36), 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.