YLD vs. IWM
YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. YLD is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, YLD returned 5.76%/yr vs 11.68%/yr for IWM. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
YLD vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 3.27% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 21.64% return. Over the past 10 years, YLD has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 5.76%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.68% annualized return.
YLD
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 0.84%
- YTD
- 3.27%
- 6M
- 3.45%
- 1Y
- 7.14%
- 3Y*
- 9.07%
- 5Y*
- 4.91%
- 10Y*
- 5.76%
IWM
- 1D
- 0.88%
- 1M
- 4.83%
- YTD
- 21.64%
- 6M
- 18.08%
- 1Y
- 44.01%
- 3Y*
- 19.60%
- 5Y*
- 6.77%
- 10Y*
- 11.68%
YLD vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 3.27% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -3.30% | 9.12% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 21.64% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between YLD and IWM is 0.59, 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 | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2015 | 0.47 |
The correlation between YLD and IWM shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.59 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
YLD vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
YLD
IWM
YLD vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) 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.
| YLD | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.36 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.63 | 4.01 | -0.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.43 | 14.19 | -1.75 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
YLD vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and IWM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| YLD | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.34% | -59.05% | +30.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.98% | -11.03% | +9.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.62% | -27.50% | +21.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.89% | -31.91% | +18.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.34% | -41.13% | +12.79% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.08% | 0.00% | -0.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.69% | -10.75% | +8.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.58% | 3.11% | -2.53% |
Volatility
YLD vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) is 1.05%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that YLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| YLD | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 6.47% | -5.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.50% | 14.28% | -10.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.38% | 19.75% | -15.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 22.60% | -16.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.20% | 23.09% | -14.89% |
YLD vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
YLD vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.24%, more than IWM's 0.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.89% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 7.24% | 7.33% | 7.12% | 6.46% | 6.51% | 3.92% | 4.40% | 4.81% | 5.42% | 6.28% | 4.47% | 2.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
YLD and IWM have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IWM has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to YLD (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 11.68% vs 5.76% for YLD. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 11.68% return vs 5.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.
YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.24%, compared with 0.89% for IWM.
YLD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Principal and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.19% for IWM.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.64), 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.
Find the right allocation for YLD and IWM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer