BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · US Large-Cap Equity

How iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IWB alone. It places IWB (iShares Russell 1000 ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where IWB stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: IWB's full trading record, from May 2000 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against IWB →Chart IWB vs. 25 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about IWB

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in IWB have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IWB over the past 23 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IWB over the same span and IWB's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: The chart covers the past 23 years rather than IWB's full 26 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2003 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 481 of the 1,408 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IWB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M200320072011201520192023$10,000$100,000$1M$10M2003200920152021
  • NVDA$19M+188,297% total · +38.8% a year
  • RY$211,164+2,012% total · +14.2% a year
  • IWF$150,925+1,409% total · +12.5% a year
  • WM$141,509+1,315% total · +12.2% a year
  • VTI$117,985+1,080% total · +11.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$116,093+1,061% total · +11.2% a year
  • SPTM$115,633+1,056% total · +11.2% a year
  • IWB$114,826+1,048% total · +11.2% a year
  • RSP$105,488+955% total · +10.8% a year
  • IWD$80,869+709% total · +9.5% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,008 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IWB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026
  • DYNF$21,051+111% total · +16.1% a year
  • IUS$19,997+100.0% total · +14.9% a year
  • VSLU$19,451+94.5% total · +14.2% a year
  • PWV$19,195+92.0% total · +13.9% a year
  • FNDX$19,177+91.8% total · +13.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • PRF$18,834+88.3% total · +13.5% a year
  • VV$18,747+87.5% total · +13.4% a year
  • SIXA$18,594+85.9% total · +13.2% a year
  • IWB$18,315+83.1% total · +12.9% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

IWB at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The fund

Issuer
IShares
Began trading
May 2000
Expense ratio
0.15%per year
Assets
$49B
Category
Broad Market

Returns

Past 1 year
+15.0%total return
Past 3 years
+87.1%+23.2% a year
Past 5 years
+73.6%+11.7% a year
Past 10 years
+305%+15.0% a year
Best calendar year
+32.8%2013
Worst calendar year
−37.4%2008
Losing years
5 of 25full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
17.2%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.73return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−55.4%Oct 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−2.0%below the peak

IWB against the whole market

Where IWB ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does IWB rank among all ETFs?

This section ranks IWB on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how IWB stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureIWBRankStanding
1-year return+15.0%864 of 2,488top 35%
3-year return+87.1%399 of 1,950top 20%
5-year return+73.6%322 of 1,563top 21%
10-year return+305%88 of 958top 9%
Volatility, 5 years17.2%862 of 1,563bottom 46%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.73461 of 1,563top 29%
Worst decline, past 10 years−34.6%325 of 951top 34%

What has beaten IWB on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). IWB sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IWB with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to IWB; faint dots are 19 more of the 35 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IWBPVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%IDV: +12.7% a year, volatility 15.5%EMLP: +15.2% a year, volatility 14.5%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%MGV: +12.8% a year, volatility 13.4%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%FTGC: +13.1% a year, volatility 15.6%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%HDEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 14.2%FLQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 16.3%AUSF: +13.6% a year, volatility 13.6%EQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.5%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%IWB: +11.7% a year, volatility 17.2%VTI (S&P 500): +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%FNDX: +13.6% a year, volatility 14.9%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%PWV: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.2%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%ACT: +20.7% a year, volatility 24.4%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%PRF: +13.0% a year, volatility 15.0%IWBVTI (S&P 500)FNDXVOOVTIVSLUPWVIUSSIXAVLUEFFLCLVHIRYMPLXKOACTFJANWM5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IWBPVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%IDV: +12.7% a year, volatility 15.5%EMLP: +15.2% a year, volatility 14.5%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%MGV: +12.8% a year, volatility 13.4%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%FTGC: +13.1% a year, volatility 15.6%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%HDEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 14.2%FLQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 16.3%AUSF: +13.6% a year, volatility 13.6%EQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.5%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%IWB: +11.7% a year, volatility 17.2%VTI (S&P 500): +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%FNDX: +13.6% a year, volatility 14.9%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%PWV: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.2%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%ACT: +20.7% a year, volatility 24.4%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%PRF: +13.0% a year, volatility 15.0%IWBVTI (S&P 500)FNDXVOOVTIPWVIUSSIXAVLUELVHIRYMPLXKOACTFJANWM
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than IWB?

Investments that beat IWB over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat IWB over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks IWB's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than IWB follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than IWB's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× IWB's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than IWB's.

Screen the whole market against IWB for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with IWB?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
IWBiShares Russell 1000 ETF · this page
+11.7%17.2%0.73−34.6%+305%1.000.15%
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · S&P 500
+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%1.000.03%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IWB. 12 of 25 passed at least one test.
FNDXSchwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.6%14.9%0.93−37.7%+292%0.920.25%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same exposure, lower expense ratio+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%1.000.03%
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Same exposure, lower expense ratio+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%1.000.03%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in US Large-Cap Equity and the categories next to it (US Total Market, US Large-Cap Value, US Large-Cap Growth, US Quality Equity), plus IWB's specific themes. 24 of 123 passed at least one test.
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.980.49%
PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.7%14.2%0.98−37.6%+226%0.770.55%
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.940.19%
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.9%12.7%1.02−18.4%—0.830.31%
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.830.15%
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+15.5%16.8%0.94−19.7%—0.930.38%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 131 of 3,513 passed at least one test.
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.550.40%
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.60—
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.46—
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.29—
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+14.6%15.5%0.96−36.9%—0.870.05%
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.7%24.4%0.90−20.2%—0.40—
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · US Equity Buffer
On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.0%10.5%1.04−13.6%—0.930.85%
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Waste Management
Smaller losses in recent crashes+9.5%19.3%0.57−30.1%+357%0.36—
What these numbers mean for IWB
Annual return
IWB returned 11.7% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 11.4% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,400. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
IWB's volatility over the past 5 years was 17.2%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.5%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IWB's return lands within 17.2% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
IWB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.73, against 0.71 for the S&P 500, so IWB earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
IWB's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 34.6%, against 35.0% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 34.6% fall takes a 52.9% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, IWB's monthly returns had a correlation of 1.00 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IWB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IWB holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 35 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IWB with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 25 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with IWBExpense
1
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.980.49%
2
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.550.40%
3
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.880.56%
4
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%15.5%0.96−36.9%—0.870.05%
5
PRFInvesco RAFI US 1000 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Popular alternative+13.0%15.0%0.90−38.1%+270%0.920.34%
6
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · US Total Market
Same or nearby category+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.940.19%
7
FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.1%16.0%0.86−44.6%+203%0.600.59%
8
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same or nearby category+12.9%12.7%1.02−18.4%—0.830.31%
9
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.6%15.9%0.89−43.2%+156%0.640.31%
10
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+193%0.720.25%
11
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.4%14.6%0.94−40.2%+255%0.900.15%
12
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.8%0.95−32.5%+204%0.820.35%
13
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%14.5%1.02−41.4%+207%0.580.43%
14
IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.7%15.5%0.85−42.5%+159%0.580.50%
15
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+15.2%14.5%1.06−43.6%+155%0.620.95%
16
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+14.4%13.6%1.06−37.6%+170%0.520.60%
17
MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+12.8%13.4%0.96−35.4%+247%0.830.05%
18
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same or nearby category+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.910.39%
19
FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+13.1%15.6%0.87−35.9%+135%0.160.98%
20
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Same or nearby category+13.5%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.970.12%
21
HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%14.2%0.93−36.4%+135%0.570.09%
22
FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+13.4%16.3%0.85−33.6%—0.980.15%
23
AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+13.6%13.6%1.01−44.2%—0.740.27%
24
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same or nearby category+13.4%14.5%0.94−34.2%+385%0.910.19%
25
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+13.9%15.1%0.95−34.4%+260%0.850.50%

IWB against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against IWB, compared period by period and year by year.

How do IWB's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at IWB, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than IWB with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

14.0%15.0%16.0%17.0%18.0%19.0%20.0%21.0%22.0%23.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIWB: 11.7% a year, volatility 17.2%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%FNDX: 13.6% a year, volatility 14.9%PRF: 13.1% a year, volatility 15.0%SPTM: 12.1% a year, volatility 16.9%IWF: 11.2% a year, volatility 21.8%IYY: 11.6% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHB: 11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%IJH: 7.0% a year, volatility 19.6%IWM: 5.3% a year, volatility 22.4%VV: 12.2% a year, volatility 17.3%DYNF: 14.3% a year, volatility 17.5%AVUS: 12.0% a year, volatility 17.2%RSP: 8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%IWD: 11.5% a year, volatility 14.7%EUSA: 7.1% a year, volatility 16.9%EQAL: 6.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHX: 11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%VXUS: 8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%IWBSPY (S&P 500)FNDXPRFSPTMIWFIYYIJHIWMDYNFRSPIWDEUSAEQAL14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIWB: 11.7% a year, volatility 17.2%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%FNDX: 13.6% a year, volatility 14.9%PRF: 13.1% a year, volatility 15.0%SPTM: 12.1% a year, volatility 16.9%IWF: 11.2% a year, volatility 21.8%IYY: 11.6% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHB: 11.4% a year, volatility 17.3%IJH: 7.0% a year, volatility 19.6%IWM: 5.3% a year, volatility 22.4%VV: 12.2% a year, volatility 17.3%DYNF: 14.3% a year, volatility 17.5%AVUS: 12.0% a year, volatility 17.2%RSP: 8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%IWD: 11.5% a year, volatility 14.7%EUSA: 7.1% a year, volatility 16.9%EQAL: 6.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHX: 11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%VXUS: 8.0% a year, volatility 16.4%IWBSPY (S&P 500)FNDXPRFSPTMIWFIYYIJHIWMDYNFRSPIWDEUSAEQALVXUS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
DYNF iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF+14.3%17.5%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF+13.6%14.9%
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF+13.1%15.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
VV Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF+12.2%17.3%
SPTM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF+12.1%16.9%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF+12.0%17.2%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF+11.9%17.2%
IWB This pageiShares Russell 1000 ETF+11.7%17.2%
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF+11.6%17.2%
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF+11.5%14.7%
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF+11.4%17.3%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF+11.2%21.8%
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF+8.4%16.1%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF+8.0%16.4%
EUSA iShares MSCI USA Equal Weighted ETF+7.1%16.9%
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF+7.0%19.6%
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF+6.5%17.2%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF+5.3%22.4%
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Has IWB consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares IWB with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than IWB helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than IWB over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF (this page)—−1.2%+2.3%+7.6%+12.2%+15.0%+87.1%+73.6%+305%17.2%0.73−34.6%0.15%$49B—
FNDX QualifiedSchwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF5/5 short2/3 long+2.3%+4.2%+12.3%+21.0%+26.2%+90.0%+89.3%+292%14.9%0.93−37.7%0.25%$28B81%
PRF QualifiedInvesco RAFI US 1000 ETF5/5 short2/3 long+1.6%+3.7%+12.1%+20.5%+26.1%+91.8%+84.6%+270%15.0%0.90−38.1%0.34%$10B84%
VV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF1/5 short3/3 long−1.4%+2.6%+8.1%+12.6%+15.3%+89.8%+77.4%+319%17.3%0.75−34.3%0.03%$76B97%
SPYM Broad MarketState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF2/5 short2/3 long−1.2%+2.5%+8.0%+12.8%+15.7%+88.8%+80.9%+320%16.9%0.79−33.9%0.02%$184B98%
VOO Broad MarketVanguard S&P 500 ETF2/5 short2/3 long−1.2%+2.5%+8.0%+12.7%+15.7%+88.8%+80.8%+319%16.9%0.79−34.0%0.03%$1.7T97%
IVV Broad MarketiShares Core S&P 500 ETF2/5 short2/3 long−1.2%+2.5%+8.0%+12.8%+15.7%+88.8%+80.8%+319%17.0%0.79−33.9%0.03%$880B98%
DYNF Broad MarketiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF2/5 short2/3 long−2.6%+1.1%+7.6%+13.0%+16.8%+104%+95.5%—17.5%0.86−34.7%0.26%$42B91%
SPY Broad MarketState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF1/5 short2/3 long−1.2%+2.5%+8.0%+12.7%+15.6%+88.4%+80.3%+316%17.2%0.78−33.7%0.09%$823B98%
AVUS Broad MarketAvantis U.S. Equity ETF2/5 short1/3 long−1.0%+0.8%+7.3%+15.2%+20.0%+87.1%+76.7%—17.2%0.75−37.0%0.15%$15B89%
SPTM Broad MarketState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF1/5 short1/3 long−1.2%+2.0%+7.5%+12.6%+15.6%+86.6%+77.1%+306%16.9%0.76−34.7%0.03%$14B99%
DFUS Broad MarketDimensional U.S. Equity ETF1/5 short1/3 long−1.4%+2.0%+7.7%+12.6%+15.6%+88.1%+77.4%—17.3%0.75−24.6%0.09%$21B97%
IWF Broad MarketiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF0/5 short1/3 long−5.2%−0.6%+0.5%+2.1%+2.9%+83.6%+70.3%+402%21.8%0.60−32.7%0.18%$125B75%
RSP Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF5/5 short0/3 long+2.5%+3.0%+8.6%+14.5%+16.8%+68.3%+49.6%+214%16.1%0.58−39.0%0.20%$98B76%
IWD Broad MarketiShares Russell 1000 Value ETF5/5 short0/3 long+2.5%+5.0%+15.1%+23.4%+28.8%+86.8%+72.4%+207%14.7%0.82−38.5%0.18%$84B77%
EUSA Broad MarketiShares MSCI USA Equal Weighted ETF1/5 short0/3 long+1.3%+2.2%+7.0%+12.1%+13.8%+67.7%+40.8%+199%16.9%0.49−39.1%0.09%$1.9B76%
EQAL Broad MarketInvesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF1/5 short0/3 long+0.1%+0.1%+2.3%+12.5%+15.3%+63.4%+36.7%+172%17.2%0.45−40.4%0.20%$802M71%
SCHX Broad MarketSchwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.4%+2.3%+7.6%+12.3%+15.0%+88.3%+75.1%+313%17.2%0.74−34.3%0.03%$74B98%
VONE Broad MarketVanguard Russell 1000 ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.2%+2.4%+7.6%+12.3%+15.2%+87.6%+74.4%+308%17.2%0.74−34.7%0.06%$12B98%
IYY Broad MarketiShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.3%+2.3%+7.7%+12.4%+15.2%+87.2%+72.9%+299%17.2%0.72−34.9%0.20%$3.0B99%
VTI Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.4%+1.9%+7.3%+12.4%+15.3%+87.3%+71.5%+298%17.5%0.71−35.0%0.03%$2.3T98%
ITOT Broad MarketiShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.5%+1.8%+7.3%+12.4%+15.3%+87.4%+71.5%+297%17.4%0.71−35.0%0.03%$96B98%
SCHB Broad MarketSchwab U.S. Broad Market ETF0/5 short0/3 long−1.5%+1.8%+7.3%+12.4%+15.2%+87.3%+71.6%+282%17.3%0.71−35.3%0.03%$44B98%
IJH Broad MarketiShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF0/5 short0/3 long−0.9%−3.5%+0.8%+9.7%+13.9%+60.3%+40.3%+176%19.6%0.44−42.2%0.05%$121B69%
IWM Broad MarketiShares Russell 2000 ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.7%−5.6%+0.6%+12.0%+14.8%+73.3%+29.4%+157%22.4%0.34−41.1%0.19%$75B67%
VXUS InternationalVanguard Total International Stock ETF0/5 short0/3 long−5.4%−1.9%+0.8%+8.9%+14.3%+75.1%+47.2%+137%16.4%0.56−36.0%0.05%$666B73%
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How did IWB do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2001, along with where IWB ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with IWB and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of IWB; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places IWB among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of IWB2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001
IWB This pageiShares Russell 1000 ETF—+17.2%+24.3%+26.4%−19.2%+26.3%+20.8%+31.1%−4.9%+21.5%+12.0%+0.3%+13.1%+32.8%+16.5%+1.2%+16.1%+28.3%−37.4%+5.3%+15.4%+6.3%+11.0%+29.6%−22.3%−12.1%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 257 of 185 of 186 of 1811 of 1810 of 184 of 185 of 164 of 165 of 1612 of 164 of 167 of 157 of 147 of 145 of 139 of 127 of 107 of 105 of 106 of 105 of 96 of 86 of 75 of 76 of 7
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF6 of 25+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF3 of 12+16.9%+16.7%+18.3%−7.0%+31.7%+9.2%+28.7%−7.3%+16.5%+16.4%−3.0%+12.6%—————————————
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF8 of 20+18.4%+16.7%+15.7%−7.8%+31.2%+7.8%+27.4%−8.7%+16.0%+17.3%−2.9%+12.2%+35.0%+16.9%−0.5%+19.8%+41.6%−40.1%+1.8%+19.0%—————
VV Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF6 of 21+18.1%+25.3%+27.2%−19.9%+27.4%+21.0%+31.3%−4.5%+22.0%+11.8%+1.0%+13.4%+32.7%+16.2%+1.4%+15.9%+27.3%−36.7%+6.2%+15.5%+6.0%————
DYNF iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF3 of 6+20.0%+30.3%+36.2%−20.3%+24.9%+13.5%———————————————————
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF2 of 6+16.7%+20.4%+21.8%−13.8%+28.7%+17.6%———————————————————
SPTM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF5 of 25+16.9%+23.9%+25.6%−17.8%+28.5%+18.0%+31.4%−5.3%+21.1%+12.3%+0.2%+13.4%+33.6%+15.8%+0.8%+17.3%+28.1%−36.6%+5.2%+14.8%+6.7%+10.5%+27.0%−21.6%−10.1%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF13 of 25+18.3%+33.1%+42.6%−29.3%+27.4%+38.3%+35.9%−1.7%+29.9%+7.0%+5.5%+12.7%+33.2%+15.2%+2.3%+16.6%+36.5%−38.1%+11.5%+8.8%+4.7%+6.1%+30.3%−28.1%−20.9%
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF10 of 22+11.2%+12.8%+13.7%−11.6%+29.4%+12.7%+28.9%−7.8%+18.5%+14.5%−1.7%+15.1%+36.7%+18.6%+0.2%+21.5%+44.7%−40.0%+0.9%+15.5%+7.4%+16.5%———
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF7 of 25+15.7%+14.2%+11.3%−7.7%+24.9%+2.7%+26.1%−8.4%+13.4%+17.3%−4.0%+13.2%+32.1%+17.4%+0.1%+15.5%+19.1%−36.5%−0.7%+22.5%+6.7%+16.1%+30.1%−15.6%−6.2%
EUSA iShares MSCI USA Equal Weighted ETF4 of 15+10.2%+14.6%+17.7%−17.1%+25.6%+15.0%+30.6%−8.6%+19.0%+14.0%−3.4%+14.1%+31.9%+15.2%+2.3%——————————
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF2 of 11+11.1%+11.4%+12.0%−13.5%+23.1%+16.6%+24.6%−9.2%+17.4%+15.6%−4.8%——————————————
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF1 of 16+17.5%+24.9%+26.8%−19.4%+26.8%+21.0%+31.2%−4.5%+21.6%+12.1%+1.0%+13.3%+32.6%+16.4%+1.6%+15.9%—————————
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF1 of 25+17.1%+24.2%+26.5%−19.6%+26.4%+20.1%+30.8%−5.2%+21.3%+11.9%−0.1%+12.9%+32.7%+16.1%+1.2%+16.4%+28.3%−37.0%+5.8%+15.3%+6.0%+11.9%+30.2%−22.4%−12.0%
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF1 of 16+16.9%+23.9%+26.1%−19.4%+25.8%+19.6%+29.5%−6.1%+20.0%+14.7%−0.7%+11.5%+31.8%+14.8%+1.0%+16.3%—————————
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF12 of 25+7.4%+13.9%+16.4%−13.1%+24.7%+13.6%+26.1%−11.2%+16.3%+20.7%−2.3%+9.7%+33.5%+17.7%−2.2%+26.7%+37.9%−36.1%+7.3%+9.7%+12.8%+16.1%+35.3%−14.2%−1.4%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF9 of 25+12.7%+11.4%+16.8%−20.5%+14.5%+20.0%+25.4%−11.1%+14.6%+21.6%−4.5%+5.0%+38.7%+16.7%−4.4%+26.9%+28.5%−34.2%−1.8%+18.3%+4.5%+18.0%+47.4%−20.3%+1.8%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF4 of 14+32.3%+5.1%+15.9%−16.1%+9.0%+10.7%+21.7%−14.4%+27.5%+4.8%−4.2%−4.7%+14.6%+18.6%———————————
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Risk and diversification

How IWB has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were IWB's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IWB's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2000, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means IWB fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringIWB fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−55.4%−55.2%Oct 2007Mar 200917 monthsMar 20123 years
Dot-com bust−48.3%−47.3%Sep 2000Oct 20022.1 yearsOct 20064 years
Covid crash−34.6%−33.7%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthAug 20205 months
2022 bear market−25.2%−24.5%Jan 2022Oct 20229 monthsDec 202314 months
Late-2018 sell-off−19.7%−19.4%Sep 2018Dec 20183 monthsApr 20194 months

How did IWB do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far IWB, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: IWB began trading on May 19, 2000, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than IWB.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
IWB This pageiShares Russell 1000 ETF—−3.8%−25.0%−34.6%−19.7%−6.4%−14.0%−18.8%−1.7%−55.4%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF2 of 6−4.2%−19.1%−37.4%−19.6%−6.2%−12.4%————
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF1 of 9−4.6%−19.7%−38.0%−19.7%−6.4%−13.6%−19.4%−1.5%−60.1%—
VV Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF2 of 9−3.5%−25.5%−34.3%−19.3%−6.4%−13.3%−18.6%−1.7%−54.8%—
DYNF iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF0 of 3−3.6%−26.0%−34.7%———————
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF1 of 3−5.2%−22.2%−37.0%———————
SPTM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF2 of 9−3.8%−24.1%−34.7%−20.2%−6.3%−13.5%−18.8%−2.0%−54.7%—
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF4 of 9−3.4%−31.2%−31.5%−21.9%−6.4%−13.4%−18.2%−2.0%−51.2%—
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF1 of 9−5.4%−21.4%−39.0%−19.8%−6.1%−14.8%−21.3%−1.6%−59.1%—
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF2 of 9−4.6%−19.0%−38.4%−18.0%−6.4%−14.3%−19.5%−1.6%−59.9%—
EUSA iShares MSCI USA Equal Weighted ETF2 of 7−5.3%−24.6%−39.1%−20.8%−5.6%−18.4%−14.8%———
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF1 of 6−5.7%−21.4%−40.2%−21.0%−6.3%−17.5%————
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF1 of 8−3.7%−25.2%−34.3%−19.4%−6.4%−13.4%−18.5%−1.2%——
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF0 of 9−3.7%−25.3%−34.9%−19.8%−6.1%−14.0%−19.1%−1.6%−55.1%—
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF0 of 8−4.0%−25.3%−35.3%−20.5%−6.2%−14.5%−19.0%−1.6%——
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF2 of 9−7.0%−22.8%−42.2%−22.8%−6.1%−17.5%−24.6%−2.6%−54.8%—
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF1 of 9−7.1%−26.8%−40.8%−25.7%−5.5%−21.5%−27.2%−2.9%−58.4%—
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF3 of 7−2.5%−28.4%−33.4%−15.1%−6.1%−20.2%−24.2%———
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How closely does IWB move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares IWB with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than IWB's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
IWB This pageiShares Russell 1000 ETF100%101%0.981.01
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF110%104%1.061.10
VV Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF101%101%1.001.01
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF100%101%0.991.01
SPTM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF99%101%0.981.01
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF95%98%0.970.97
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF100%102%0.971.02
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF93%98%0.950.97
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF99%104%0.951.03
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF87%99%0.880.93
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF92%107%0.861.01
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF76%91%0.840.82
EUSA iShares MSCI USA Equal Weighted ETF93%112%0.831.05
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF93%115%0.811.10
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF90%113%0.801.04
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF98%129%0.761.17
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What diversifies IWB?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with IWB's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing IWB with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which IWB lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% IWB and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022201820082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF (this page)1.00+73.6%0.73−19.2%−4.9%−37.4%−22.3%−12.1%15.7%+12.9%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.29+178%0.94+64.4%−18.2%−39.0%−14.8%−18.2%14.9%+15.4%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.16+120%0.93−0.8%−1.9%+4.9%——13.6%+14.3%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.47+114%0.90+25.5%−12.6%———14.7%+14.2%
DBA AlternativesInvesco DB Agriculture Fund0.18+66.7%0.81+2.5%−8.7%−19.1%——13.2%+12.7%
IHE Broad MarketiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF0.48+83.2%0.81−4.9%−7.8%−14.8%——14.3%+13.0%
DBMF AlternativesiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF-0.27+57.5%0.80+21.6%————12.2%+12.8%
PPH HealthcareVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF0.49+72.9%0.78+2.6%−5.9%−19.9%−24.8%−13.8%14.2%+12.6%
USO CommoditiesUnited States Oil Fund, LP0.00+180%0.74+29.0%−19.6%−56.3%——14.6%+16.1%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022201820082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF (this page)1.00+73.6%0.73−19.2%−4.9%−37.4%−22.3%−12.1%15.7%+12.9%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.30+471%1.54+54.1%−24.5%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%15.0%+18.1%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.19+397%1.41+51.8%−28.4%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%14.4%+17.6%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.26+660%1.39+86.6%−8.2%———15.6%+20.2%
PBR Oil & Gas IntegratedPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras0.13+721%1.32+55.4%+27.7%−55.6%−32.0%−1.9%15.4%+20.0%
ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc.0.35+913%1.29+87.5%−9.8%−70.0%−60.8%+10.3%18.2%+23.2%
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Common questions

What was IWB's worst drawdown?

IWB's deepest decline since it began trading in 2000 was 55.4%, from October 2007 to March 2009. It took about three years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were IWB's best and worst years?

Over 25 full calendar years, IWB's best year was 2013, when it returned 32.8%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -37.4%.

Is there a better investment than IWB?

Among IWB's popular alternatives, FNDX earned more than IWB with less volatility over the past 5 years: 13.6% a year at 14.9% volatility, against 11.7% a year at 17.2%. SPYM tracks the same thing for 0.02% a year against IWB's 0.15%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $130 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.

Is IWB more volatile than the S&P 500?

No. IWB's volatility over the past 5 years was 17.2%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.5%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IWB's return lands within 17.2% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is IWB's Sharpe ratio?

IWB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.73, against 0.71 for the S&P 500, so IWB earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is IWB with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, IWB's monthly returns had a correlation of 1.00 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IWB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IWB holding.

What are the best alternatives to IWB?

Of the 25 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed IWB in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: FNDX and PRF.

Did IWB outperform the S&P 500?

IWB finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of 25 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +17.2%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did IWB do in stock market crashes?

IWB fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when IWB fell 14.0% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.

What diversifies IWB?

These had a low correlation with IWB over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, XLE (correlation 0.29), GLD (correlation 0.16) and AMLP (correlation 0.47); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.30), MCK (correlation 0.19) and MPC (correlation 0.26). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to IWB