IWM vs SPY

iShares Russell 2000 ETF against SPDR S&P 500 ETF — live side-by-side technical comparison.

Prices as of 2026-09-23T20:00:00+00:00 UTC · updates daily

Who leads right now

SPY leads 4 of the 5 windows we measure — over 1 month IWM is -5.4% and SPY +0.6%; over year to date IWM is +14.5% and SPY +12.6%. The IWM/SPY price ratio stands at 0.3672, below its 50-day average of 0.3872, and below the 200-day average of 0.3835. A ratio above its own average means IWM is gaining on SPY; on this reading the recent edge belongs to SPY.

Performance side by side

IWMSPY
Price$281.92 $767.81
1 day -1.8% -0.7%lead
5 days -0.7% +1.8%lead
1 month -5.4% +0.6%lead
6 months +13.9% +17.1%lead
Year to date +14.5%lead +12.6%
52-week position 70% of range 92% of range
52-week range $228.90–$305.18 $629.28–$779.37
vs 50-day average below $294.56 above $760.91
vs 200-day average above $275.37 above $717.61
RSI (14) 28 52
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Where each one stands

IWM — iShares Russell 2000 ETF

IWM trades at $281.92, below its 50-day average of $294.56, and above the 200-day at $275.37. It sits at 70% of its 52-week range ($228.90–$305.18); 14-day RSI is 28, in oversold territory; an average session moves it about 1.3%. For levels, the first level overhead is $289.01 (2.5% away) and the first support below is $279.48 (0.9% down). On the checklist the page runs for every asset, 2 of 6 checks read bullish — the lean is bearish.

SPY — SPDR S&P 500 ETF

SPY trades at $767.81, above its 50-day average of $760.91, and above the 200-day at $717.61. It sits at 92% of its 52-week range ($629.28–$779.37); 14-day RSI is 52, in neutral territory; an average session moves it about 0.9%. For levels, the first level overhead is $777.17 (1.2% away) and the first support below is $760.91 (0.9% down). On the checklist the page runs for every asset, 5 of 6 checks read bullish — the lean is bullish.

Which one moves harder

IWM is the more volatile of the two — an average session moves it 1.3% against 0.9% for SPY, so an identical position size carries roughly 1.4× the daily risk.

What would change the picture

The comparison turns on those levels: IWM clearing $289.01 or losing $279.48; SPY clearing $777.17 or losing $760.91. Until one of them gives way, the relative reading above stands.

Questions people ask about IWM vs SPY

Which is performing better right now, IWM or SPY?
Over the past month IWM is -5.4% and SPY is +0.6%, so SPY is ahead on that window. Year to date the figures are +14.5% for IWM and +12.6% for SPY.
Is IWM or SPY more volatile?
IWM is the more volatile of the two — an average session moves it 1.3% against 0.9% for SPY, so an identical position size carries roughly 1.4× the daily risk.
What are the key levels for IWM and SPY?
IWM: resistance $289.01, support $279.48; SPY: resistance $777.17, support $760.91. Levels come from recent swing zones and round numbers, recomputed daily.
What does the IWM/SPY ratio mean?
It is simply IWM's price divided by SPY's — 0.3672 today. When the ratio rises, IWM is outperforming; when it falls, SPY is. Comparing it to its own 50- and 200-day averages shows whether the current leadership is new or long-standing.

Full technical reads

IWM →
iShares Russell 2000 ETF
Full technical read: trend, levels, chart, news
SPY →
SPDR S&P 500 ETF
Full technical read: trend, levels, chart, news