IYMvsVAWETF Comparison
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iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) belong to the same industry segment: US Materials. IYM's top 3 sector exposures are Non-Energy Materials, Industrials and Non-Corporate. In contrast, VAW's top sector exposures are Non-Energy Materials, Energy and Industrials. IYM is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.37%, versus 0.09% for VAW. IYM is up 18.97% year-to-date (YTD) with +$484M in YTD flows. VAW performs worse with 10.64% YTD performance, and -$137M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of IYM and VAW below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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IYM vs VAW performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/27/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | IYM VAW | +0.89%+2.65% | +2.28%+0.26% | +18.97%+10.64% | +24.86%+13.97% | +57.14%+45.59% | +48.94%+34.06% |
| Flows | IYM VAW | +$89M-$143M | +$72M-$22M | +$484M-$137M | +$610M-$154M | +$380M-$544M | +$302M-$1.28B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | IYM VAW | +18.01%+16.39% | +20.41%+18.86% | +18.62%+17.95% | +20.48%+19.79% |
| Max drawdown | IYM VAW | -9.34%-9.24% | -13.67%-13.41% | -23.58%-23.20% | -29.91%-25.44% |
| Max drawdown duration | IYM VAW | 63d63d | 102d240d | 352d430d | 709d679d |
Trading data
IYM | VAW | |
Last sale 10/28/2026 at 5:17 PM | $180.89 | $226.33 |
| Previous close 10/27/2026 | $181.47 | $227.17 |
| Consolidated volume 10/27/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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IYM | VAW | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/28/2026 at 5:17 PM
Live
Closed
IYM | VAW | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $180.89 | $226.33 |
| 1D performance | -0.32% | -0.37% |
| AuM | $1.27 B | $2.95 B |
| E/R | 0.37% | 0.09% |
Characteristics
IYM | VAW | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Benchmark | Russell 1000 Basic Materials RIC 22.5/45 Capped Gross Index | MSCI US IMI Materials 25/50 Index |
| N° of holdings | 40 | 110 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | June 12, 2000 | January 26, 2004 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
IYM
USA
79.26%
United Kingdom
20.68%
Other
0.06%
VAW
USA
80.35%
United Kingdom
15.65%
Other
4%
Sectors
IYM
Non-Energy Materi.
94.98%
Other
5.02%
VAW
Non-Energy Materi.
98.64%
Other
1.36%
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Diversification
IYM
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
78.14%
VAW
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
66.07%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of August 31, 2026
IYM
Linde Plc
19.08%
Newmont Corp.
11.44%
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
9.23%
Ecolab, Inc.
6.02%
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
4.81%
Anglogold Ashanti Plc
4.41%
Fastenal Co.
4.24%
Nucor Corp.
4.02%
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
2.65%
Carpenter Technology Corp.
2.18%
Royal Gold, Inc.
2.12%
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
2.11%
Coeur Mining, Inc.
2.04%
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
1.90%
International Paper Co.
1.90%
VAW
Linde Plc
14.57%
Newmont Corp.
8.58%
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
7.00%
The Sherwin-Williams Co.
4.97%
Ecolab, Inc.
4.61%
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
4.14%
CRH Plc
4.05%
Corteva, Inc.
3.64%
Nucor Corp.
3.57%
Vulcan Materials Co.
2.25%
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
2.05%
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
2.00%
PPG Industries, Inc.
1.61%
Smurfit WestRock Plc
1.58%
Royal Gold, Inc.
1.43%
Frequently asked questions about IYM and VAW
How have the IYM and VAW ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 27, 2026, IYM is up 18.97% year-to-date (YTD), while VAW has returned 10.64%. That puts IYM better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: IYM or VAW?
Year-to-date, the IYM ETF saw +$484M in flows, compared to -$137M for VAW.
Which ETF is more volatile: IYM or VAW?
Over the past year, IYM had a volatility of 20.41%, while VAW experienced 18.86%.
Which ETF is bigger: IYM or VAW?
As of October 27, 2026, IYM holds $1.27 B in assets under management (AUM), while VAW manages $2.95 B.
What sectors do the IYM and VAW ETFs invest in?
IYM leans toward sectors like Non-Energy Materials. Meanwhile, VAW focuses on Non-Energy Materials.
What are the top holdings of the IYM ETF and VAW ETF?
IYM top holdings include Linde Plc, Newmont Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.. VAW holds in its top three: Linde Plc, Newmont Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: IYM or VAW?
IYM holds 40 securities with 78.14% of its assets in the top 15. VAW has 110 securities and a top 15 weight of 66.07%.
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