IWF vs SPYG: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF against SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, IWF returned 16.2% a year and SPYG 17.9% a year on average, so SPYG came out ahead by 1.8% a year. IWF was the more volatile of the two (19.1% against 18.6% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 31.0% for IWF and 30.4% for SPYG.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, IWF did better in 76% and SPYG in 24%.
Side by side
| IWF | SPYG | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +16.2% | +17.9% |
| Total return | +158% | +184% |
| Annual volatility | 19.1% | 18.6% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −31.0% | −30.4% |
| Worst month | −12.2% | −12.6% |
| Best month | +13.8% | +14.8% |
| Positive months | 59% | 61% |
| Best year | 2023: +41.8% | 2024: +36.0% |
| Worst year | 2022: −29.8% | 2022: −29.4% |
| 1-year return | +5.2% | +17.0% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.3% | +13.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +17.1% | — |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: IWF vs SPYG
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IWF | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +18.0% | +22.1% |
| 2024 | +32.6% | +36.0% |
| 2023 | +41.8% | +30.0% |
| 2022 | −29.8% | −29.4% |
| 2021 | +26.9% | +32.0% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, IWF or SPYG?
From July 2020 to October 2026, IWF returned +16.2% a year and SPYG +17.9% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods IWF did better in 76% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IWF or SPYG?
Over the same months annual volatility was 19.1% for IWF and 18.6% for SPYG; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 31.0% and 30.4%, and the worst single month −12.2% and −12.6%.
How correlated are IWF and SPYG?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.