XT vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XT (iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XT returned 14.88%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XT charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

XT vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) 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, XT achieves a 15.73% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.47% return. Over the past 10 years, XT has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 14.88%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.58% annualized return.

XT

• 1D: -2.84%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 15.73%
• 6M: 14.43%
• 1Y: 37.71%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 14.88%

IWM

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 20.47%
• 6M: 17.64%
• 1Y: 40.90%
• 3Y*: 19.22%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

XT vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	15.73%	26.28%	0.29%	27.02%	-27.83%	16.43%	35.10%	30.74%	-4.93%	33.71%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	20.47%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between XT 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	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2015	0.82

The correlation between XT and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XT vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XT	IWM
Technology	46.7%	20.1%
Healthcare	24.1%	15.6%
Industrials	7.7%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	8.0%
Utilities	4.9%	3.1%
Communication Services	4.1%	1.7%
Financial Services	3.0%	15.5%
Basic Materials	1.7%	4.5%
Energy	0.4%	6.0%
Real Estate	0.0%	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	2.0%

Return for Risk

XT vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XT

XT Risk / Return Rank: 72
XT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
XT Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
XT Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
XT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 67
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

XT vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) 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.

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.

	XT	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.08	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.86	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	3.73	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.43	13.18	+1.25

XT vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XT Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XT 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.

Drawdowns

XT vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XT drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XT and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XT	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-59.05%	+24.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-11.03%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.09%	-27.50%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-31.91%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-41.13%	+6.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.18%	-0.96%	-3.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.39%	-10.75%	+3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	3.11%	-0.49%

Volatility

XT vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) has a higher volatility of 8.14% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 6.56%. This indicates that XT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XT	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	6.56%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.78%	14.31%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.32%	19.74%	-2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.00%	22.61%	-1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.12%	23.06%	-2.94%

XT vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XT has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

XT vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

XT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.08%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.90%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	7.08%	7.95%	0.66%	0.41%	0.78%	0.84%	0.77%	1.55%	1.40%	0.97%	1.37%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XT and IWM in my portfolio?

XT 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, XT or IWM?

XT has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to IWM (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XT dropped -34.41% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, XT or IWM?

On 10-year performance, XT leads with 14.88% vs 11.58% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XT or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, XT has performed better with a 14.88% return vs 11.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XT or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for XT.

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

XT has the higher dividend yield at 7.08%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.

What is the main difference between XT and IWM?

XT is categorized as Technology Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. XT tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for XT and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.08), 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.