WUGI vs. IAK

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

WUGI (Esoterica NextG Economy ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WUGI is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Esoterica, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. WUGI is actively managed, while IAK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WUGI returned 16.13%/yr vs 13.37%/yr for IAK. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WUGI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IAK.

Performance

WUGI vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) 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, WUGI achieves a 23.35% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 1.11% return.

WUGI

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 23.35%
• 6M: 25.24%
• 1Y: 38.78%
• 3Y*: 33.73%
• 5Y*: 16.13%
• 10Y*: —

IAK

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 4.20%
• YTD: 1.11%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 13.37%
• 10Y*: 12.67%

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

WUGI vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	23.35%	22.66%	47.14%	61.30%	-49.55%	25.18%	97.36%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	1.11%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	26.84%	33.43%

Correlation

The correlation between WUGI and IAK is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2020	0.17

The correlation between WUGI and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.17 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WUGI vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WUGI	IAK
Technology	70.5%	-
Communication Services	12.1%	-
Industrials	9.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	-
Financial Services	1.8%	99.5%
Healthcare	0.2%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

WUGI vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

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

WUGI

WUGI Risk / Return Rank: 49
WUGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
WUGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
WUGI Omega Ratio Rank: 49
WUGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
WUGI Martin Ratio Rank: 47

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 15
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 13
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

WUGI vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) 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.

	WUGI	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	0.29	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	0.50	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.06	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	0.57	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.02	1.27	+5.74

WUGI vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WUGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WUGI 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

WUGI vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WUGI drawdown since its inception was -56.41%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WUGI and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	WUGI	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.41%	-77.38%	+20.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.99%	-7.62%	-10.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-11.58%	-15.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.41%	-14.76%	-41.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.98%	-0.23%	-3.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.61%	-16.11%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.54%	3.41%	+2.13%

Volatility

WUGI vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) has a higher volatility of 13.03% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 5.49%. This indicates that WUGI'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

	WUGI	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.03%	5.49%	+7.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.14%	10.75%	+11.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.36%	15.10%	+10.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.07%	18.14%	+12.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.09%	20.92%	+10.17%

WUGI vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

WUGI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

WUGI vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

WUGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.51%, more than IAK's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.60%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	18.51%	22.83%	4.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WUGI and IAK in my portfolio?

WUGI and IAK have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WUGI or IAK?

WUGI has higher volatility (13.03%) compared to IAK (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WUGI dropped -56.41% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, WUGI or IAK?

On 5-year performance, WUGI leads with 16.13% vs 13.37% for IAK. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 5.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WUGI or IAK?

Over the 5-year period, WUGI has performed better with a 16.13% return vs 13.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WUGI or IAK?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for WUGI.

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

WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 18.51%, compared with 2.60% for IAK.

What is the main difference between WUGI and IAK?

WUGI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: Esoterica and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for WUGI and 0.43% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WUGI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.29), 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.