IWX vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. IWX delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: IWXMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIWXSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.20%0.09%
AUM$3.9B$789.1B
Dividend Yield1.46%1.01%
Holdings156505
YTD Return+20.00%+9.93%
1Y Return+33.14%+19.50%
3Y Return (annualized)+19.00%+19.33%
5Y Return (annualized)+12.72%+12.82%
Volatility (annualized)13.9%15.3%
Max Drawdown-35.8%-56.5%
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)State Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionSep 22, 2009Jan 22, 1993

IWX vs SPY Performance

iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (IWX) 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 IWX returned +33.14% while SPY returned +19.50%. Year to date, IWX is up 20.00% versus a gain of 9.93% for SPY.

Over three years, IWX compounded at +19.00% per year against +19.33% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.72% and +12.82% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IWX has the edge at +9.91% annualized vs +8.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.9% for IWX. 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 -35.8% for IWX 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IWX charges 0.20% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $9 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWX currently yields 1.46% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

47.6%overlap

IWX and SPY share 142 holdings out of 514 unique holdings combined, representing a 47.6% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in IWXWeight in SPYDifference
AAPL7.94%7.09%0.85%
AMZN8.32%3.69%4.63%
MSFT5.51%4.43%1.08%
JPMProProPro
JNJProProPro
XOMProProPro
METAProProPro
INTCProProPro
WMTProProPro
CSCOProProPro
See all 10 holdings IWX shares with SPY
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, IWX or SPY?

IWX has an expense ratio of 0.20% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $11 per year of difference.

Which performed better, IWX or SPY?

Over the past year IWX returned +33.14% vs +19.50% for SPY, so IWX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IWX annualized +9.91% vs +8.74% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, IWX or SPY?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.9% for IWX. Worst drawdown: IWX -35.8% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both IWX and SPY?

IWX and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 IWX and SPY?

IWX and SPY share 142 common holdings with a 47.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 514 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, IWX or SPY?

IWX yields 1.46% while SPY yields 1.01%, so IWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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