IWMW vs IWMY: Income Fund Comparison
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite - US (IWMW) and Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF - US (IWMY) are both income-focused funds. Below is our independent side-by-side review using the Dependable Income Investing 13-factor scoring system — designed specifically for income investors seeking reliable, sustainable distributions.
Also see: IWMW individual review · IWMY individual review
| IWMW | IWMY | |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite - US | Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF - US |
| Fund Type | Index Based Fund | Index Based Fund |
| Exchange | NYSE/NASDAQ | NYSE/NASDAQ |
| Last Reviewed | 2025-07-10 | not treasuries." |
🔒 Full scores available — with Premium subscription
Compare Performance — Free →Fund Attributes: IWMW vs IWMY 20% of overall score
Fund Attributes cover the foundational characteristics of each fund: cost, company backing, track record, and size. These factors reflect stability and cost-efficiency for long-term income investors.
Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF.
Expense ratio is 1.05% which is high. Increased from 1.02% in the previous review.
The total assets managed by iShares are in the trillions.
Defiance ETFs surpassed $8 Billion in assets under management as of January 2026.
The fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.
Fund inception date was Oct 30th 2023 - approximately 2.3 years of history as of review date. In early October 2024 the fund moved from monthly to weekly distributions.
Net assets are $25 million as of July 2025 which is small for an ETF.
$100.32 Million in assets under management which is a very small fund. Fund has shrunk from $113 Million in the previous review - likely due to poor performance.
Risk: IWMW vs IWMY 35% of overall score
Risk factors evaluate how each fund manages volatility, diversification, and the nature of its underlying assets — critical considerations for income investors who prioritise capital preservation.
See the full Risk analysis for both IWMW and IWMY — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.
View Plans →Return: IWMW vs IWMY 45% of overall score
Return factors assess income generation quality: current yield, distribution consistency, price history, and payment frequency. This is the most heavily weighted category for income investors.
See the full Return analysis for both IWMW and IWMY — yield ratings, distribution consistency scores, and capital history.
View Plans →Our Review Methodology
Every fund reviewed on Dependable Income Investing is scored using our 13-factor Fund Report Card, organised into three weighted categories: Fund Attributes (20%), Risk (35%), and Return (45%). Each criterion is rated 1–5 by our analysts based on publicly available fund data.
We also calculate a Dependability Score — a weighted composite of six income-specific factors ranked by importance for retirement income investors: Yield Stability, Yield, Volatility, Capital History, Fund Risk, and Underlying Assets. This score answers the question income investors care about most: can I depend on this fund to pay me reliably?
Full scores, ratings, and analyst notes for both IWMW and IWMY are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Frequently Asked Questions: IWMW vs IWMY
Which has a lower expense ratio, IWMW or IWMY?
IWMW: Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF.
IWMY: Expense ratio is 1.05% which is high. Increased from 1.02% in the previous review.
Which fund has more assets under management, IWMW or IWMY?
IWMW: Net assets are $25 million as of July 2025 which is small for an ETF.
IWMY: $100.32 Million in assets under management which is a very small fund. Fund has shrunk from $113 Million in the previous review - likely due to poor performance.
Which fund has been trading longer, IWMW or IWMY?
IWMW: The fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.
IWMY: Fund inception date was Oct 30th 2023 - approximately 2.3 years of history as of review date. In early October 2024 the fund moved from monthly to weekly distributions.
Who manages IWMW vs IWMY?
IWMW: The total assets managed by iShares are in the trillions.
IWMY: Defiance ETFs surpassed $8 Billion in assets under management as of January 2026.
Where can I see the full IWMW vs IWMY comparison with scores?
The complete side-by-side comparison — including all Risk and Return scores, analyst notes, Overall Score, and Dependability Score for both funds — is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See the Full IWMW vs IWMY Comparison
The Dependable Income Investing app gives you the complete picture: all 13 scoring factors for both funds, Risk and Return analyst notes, Dependability Scores, and tools to compare any income fund side by side.
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