IWM vs LQD
iShares Russell 2000 ETF vs iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
Last updated: 2026-04-02
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to small-cap U.S. equities with higher growth potential and volatility. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.19%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.02%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.14%. The fund offers a high dividend yield of 4.53%. Launched in 2002, the fund has a 24-year track record.
Quick Verdict
LQD has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.14% vs 0.19%), saving about $99 per $10,000 over 10 years. Over the past year, IWM has significantly outperformed with a 25.1% return vs 0.0%. Income investors may prefer LQD for its higher yield (4.5% vs 1.0%).
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
IWM Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Bloom Energy CorporationBE | 1.01% |
| FabrinetFN | 0.69% |
| Nextpower Inc.NXT | 0.61% |
| COEUR MINING INCCDE.NE | 0.60% |
| EchoStar CorporationSATS | 0.54% |
| Credo Technology Group Holding LtdCRDO | 0.53% |
| Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.KTOS | 0.45% |
| Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.STRL | 0.43% |
| Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.AEIS | 0.41% |
| Hecla Mining CompanyHL | 0.39% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose LQD if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose IWM if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Choose LQD if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.