VAWvsIYMETF Comparison
VS
Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) and iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) belong to the same industry segment: US Materials. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Materials. VAW is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.38% for IYM. VAW is up 12.42% year-to-date (YTD) with -$80M in YTD flows. IYM performs better with 20.11% YTD performance, and +$817M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of VAW and IYM 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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VAW vs IYM performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 04/28/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VAW IYM | +5.54%+7.77% | +1.10%+4.88% | +12.42%+20.11% | +28.70%+43.67% | +38.51%+49.34% | +38.87%+52.30% |
| Flows | VAW IYM | +$62M+$355M | +$57M+$538M | -$80M+$817M | +$22M+$912M | -$500M+$487M | -$776M+$691M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VAW IYM | +21.46%+23.38% | +17.13%+17.94% | +17.51%+17.97% | +19.69%+20.29% |
| Max drawdown | VAW IYM | -13.41%-13.67% | -13.41%-13.67% | -23.20%-23.58% | -25.44%-29.91% |
| Max drawdown duration | VAW IYM | 58d56d | 58d56d | 430d352d | 679d709d |
Trading data
VAW | IYM | |
Last sale 4/29/2026 at 6:20 PM | $229.72 | $179.19 |
| Previous close 04/28/2026 | $232.37 | $181.76 |
| Consolidated volume 04/28/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of March 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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VAW | IYM | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 4/29/2026 at 6:20 PM
Live
Closed
VAW | IYM | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $229.72 | $179.19 |
| 1D performance | -1.14% | -1.41% |
| AuM | $3.08 B | $1.65 B |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.38% |
Characteristics
VAW | IYM | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Benchmark | MSCI US IMI Materials 25/50 Index | Russell 1000 Basic Materials RIC 22.5/45 Capped Gross Index |
| N° of holdings | 98 | 36 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | January 26, 2004 | June 12, 2000 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
VAW
USA
72.51%
Ireland
21.11%
Other
6.38%
IYM
USA
73.53%
Ireland
20.29%
Other
6.18%
Sectors
VAW
Materials
77.69%
Other
22.31%
IYM
Materials
65.5%
Industrials
8.86%
Other
25.64%
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Diversification
VAW
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
64.3%
IYM
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
77.27%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
VAW
IE000S9YS762
15.14%
NEWMONT CORP
7.73%
FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC
5.52%
SHERWIN WILLIAMS
4.94%
CRH PLC
4.61%
ECOLAB
4.44%
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS
4.05%
CORTEVA INC
3.70%
NUCOR
2.53%
VULCAN MATERIALS
2.35%
MARTIN MARIETTA
2.32%
DOW INC
1.94%
CH1430134226
1.82%
STEEL DYNAMICS
1.63%
PPG INDUSTRIES
1.57%
IYM
IE000S9YS762
20.29%
NEWMONT CORP
10.56%
FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC
7.60%
ECOLAB
6.10%
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS
4.74%
FASTENAL
4.13%
GB00BRXH2664
3.80%
NUCOR
3.43%
STEEL DYNAMICS
2.74%
ROYAL GOLD
2.45%
ALBEMARLE
2.42%
LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES
2.37%
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS
2.31%
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY
2.18%
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO
2.15%
Frequently asked questions about VAW and IYM
How have the VAW and IYM ETFs performed in 2026?
As of April 28, 2026, VAW is up 12.42% year-to-date (YTD), while IYM has returned 20.11%. That puts IYM better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: VAW or IYM?
Year-to-date, the VAW ETF saw -$80M in flows, compared to +$817M for IYM.
Which ETF is more volatile: VAW or IYM?
Over the past year, VAW had a volatility of 17.13%, while IYM experienced 17.94%.
Which ETF is bigger: VAW or IYM?
As of April 28, 2026, VAW holds $3.08 B in assets under management (AUM), while IYM manages $1.65 B.
What sectors do the VAW and IYM ETFs invest in?
VAW leans toward sectors like Materials. Meanwhile, IYM focuses on Materials and Industrials.
What are the top holdings of the VAW ETF and IYM ETF?
VAW top holdings include IE000S9YS762, NEWMONT CORP and FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC. IYM holds in its top three: IE000S9YS762, NEWMONT CORP and FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC.
Which ETF is more diversified: VAW or IYM?
VAW holds 112 securities with 64.3% of its assets in the top 15. IYM has 39 securities and a top 15 weight of 77.27%.
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