WTS vs. FIW

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

WTS (Watts Water Technologies, Inc.) is a stock, while FIW (First Trust Water ETF) is Water Equities fund tracking the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. Over the past 10 years, WTS returned 19.75%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for FIW. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

WTS vs. FIW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WTS achieves a 26.11% return, which is significantly higher than FIW's -0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, WTS has outperformed FIW with an annualized return of 19.75%, while FIW has yielded a comparatively lower 12.18% annualized return.

WTS

• 1D: -1.57%
• 1M: 4.12%
• 6M: 20.97%
• YTD: 26.11%
• 1Y: 37.20%
• 3Y*: 24.99%
• 5Y*: 19.88%
• 10Y*: 19.75%

FIW

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: -5.26%
• YTD: -0.70%
• 1Y: -1.44%
• 3Y*: 7.15%
• 5Y*: 5.72%
• 10Y*: 12.18%

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

WTS vs. FIW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.	26.11%	36.85%	-1.62%	43.57%	-24.08%	60.63%	23.14%	56.20%	-14.13%	17.84%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	-0.70%	7.20%	8.38%	20.35%	-15.70%	32.00%	21.15%	37.37%	-9.23%	24.69%

Correlation

The correlation between WTS and FIW is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.75

The correlation between WTS and FIW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WTS vs. FIW — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTS

WTS Risk / Return Rank: 82
WTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
WTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
WTS Omega Ratio Rank: 80
WTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
WTS Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FIW

FIW Risk / Return Rank: 8
FIW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Omega Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FIW Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

WTS vs. FIW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). 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.

	WTS	FIW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	-0.09	+1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	-0.02	+2.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.00	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	-0.11	+2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.06	-0.25	+6.30

WTS vs. FIW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTS Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is higher than the FIW Sharpe Ratio of -0.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTS and FIW, 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

WTS vs. FIW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTS drawdown since its inception was -63.68%, which is greater than FIW's maximum drawdown of -52.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTS and FIW.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTS	FIW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.68%	-52.75%	-10.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.45%	-13.81%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-18.32%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.08%	-28.53%	-15.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.08%	-36.60%	-7.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.40%	-6.87%	-4.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-8.29%	-7.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.16%	5.86%	+0.30%

Volatility

WTS vs. FIW - Volatility Comparison

Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) has a higher volatility of 14.94% compared to First Trust Water ETF (FIW) at 5.00%. This indicates that WTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTS	FIW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.94%	5.00%	+9.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.45%	12.22%	+9.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.66%	16.05%	+10.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.46%	18.44%	+10.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.42%	19.88%	+8.54%

Dividends

WTS vs. FIW - Dividend Comparison

WTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than FIW's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIW First Trust Water ETF	0.72%	0.69%	0.69%	0.68%	0.67%	0.37%	0.56%	0.55%	0.73%	1.13%	0.51%	0.76%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.	0.63%	0.72%	0.81%	0.66%	0.79%	0.52%	0.76%	0.90%	1.27%	0.99%	1.09%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTS and FIW in my portfolio?

WTS and FIW have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WTS or FIW?

WTS has higher volatility (14.94%) compared to FIW (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTS dropped -63.68% vs FIW's -52.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs -0.09), 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.