IWF vs MDY
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust
Last updated: 2026-04-02
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. growth stocks with above-average earnings potential. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.19%. The fund offers a modest dividend yield of 0.39%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.
State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust (MDY) is an exchange-traded fund issued by State Street that provides exposure to mid-cap U.S. companies balancing growth potential and stability. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.24%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.15%. Launched in 1995, the fund has a 31-year track record.
Quick Verdict
IWF has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.19% vs 0.24%), saving about $98 per $10,000 over 10 years. IWF has edged ahead over the past year (17.0% vs 13.9%). Income investors may prefer MDY for its higher yield (1.1% vs 0.4%).
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
MDY Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Ciena Corp | 102.57% |
| Coherent Corp | 90.18% |
| Lumentum Holdings Inc | 81.25% |
| Flex Ltd | 69.47% |
| Twilio Inc | 67.05% |
| United Therapeutics Corp | 65.23% |
| Pure Storage Inc | 65.05% |
| Casey's General Stores Inc | 63.89% |
| Curtiss-Wright Corp | 63.20% |
| Illumina Inc | 62.31% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose IWF if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose IWF if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Choose MDY if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.