IWF vs SPY
IWF vs SPY
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IWF | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $120.5B | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 372 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +4.90% | +13.10% | |
| 1Y Return | +11.94% | +22.80% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.72% | +20.98% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.45% | +13.20% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -66.8% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Jan 22, 1993 |
IWF vs SPY Performance
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IWF returned +11.94% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, IWF is up 4.90% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.
Over three years, IWF compounded at +21.72% per year against +20.98% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.45% and +13.20% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.83% annualized vs +7.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -66.8% for IWF and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWF charges 0.18% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $9 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWF currently yields 0.35% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
IWF and SPY share 176 holdings out of 696 unique holdings combined, representing a 57.3% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWF | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 13.66% | 7.31% | 6.35% |
| AAPL | 7.33% | 7.09% | 0.24% |
| GOOGL | 6.39% | 3.32% | 3.07% |
| MSFT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings IWF shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IWF or SPY?
IWF has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $9 per year of difference.
Which performed better, IWF or SPY?
Over the past year IWF returned +11.94% vs +22.80% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IWF annualized +7.43% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, IWF or SPY?
IWF has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IWF -66.8% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both IWF and SPY?
IWF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between IWF and SPY?
IWF and SPY share 176 common holdings with a 57.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 696 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWF or SPY?
IWF yields 0.35% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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