iShares Russell 2000 ETF vs Annaly Capital Management, Inc. — how do they compare? iShares Russell 2000 ETF trades at $296.14, while Annaly Capital Management, Inc. trades at $22.68 (market cap $16.63B). The key difference: Annaly Capital Management, Inc. pays a 13.22% dividend while iShares Russell 2000 ETF pays none, and iShares Russell 2000 ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Annaly Capital Management, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IWM | NLY | |
|---|---|---|
52-Week High | $300.45 | $24.40 |
52-Week Low | $214.95 | $19.96 |
Market Cap | — | $16.63B |
Sector | — | Financials |
Dividend Yield | — | 13.22% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
IWM, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF, trades at $292.34, down 0.6% on the day. Technical indicators are mixed with a neutral overall signal, while moving averages show a bullish bias. The ETF has seen strong institutional inflows, with firms like AIA Group and Allspring Global Investments increasing their holdings significantly in Q1 2026 (SEC 13F filings, July 2026). Small-cap stocks have outperformed large-caps year-to-date, with the Russell 2000 up approximately 20% in 2026 (24/7 Wall Street, July 17, 2026).
The outlook for IWM hinges on continued small-cap strength, which is sensitive to interest rates and economic growth. While recent performance is robust, risks include higher volatility versus large-caps and potential Fed policy shifts. Analyst sentiment is divided, with some highlighting valuation concerns versus broader market ETFs.
NLY trades at $22.73, down 1.22% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong earnings beat history. The stock shows a low P/E of 7.42 and a 13% dividend yield, supported by recent analyst upgrades. Revenue grew to $2.24B in 2025, with net income margin at 91.17%, though cash flow from operations declined to $693M. The consensus price target is $24.80, implying 9% upside.
Outlook remains positive given earnings momentum and high yield, but risks include interest rate sensitivity and elevated debt-to-asset ratio of 23.55. Institutional sentiment is bullish with 57% buy ratings, though macroeconomic shifts could pressure mortgage REIT performance.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
The ETF is designed to track the performance of the securities and the stocks in the Russell 2000 Index. To maintain the composition and weightings, the advisor adjusts the ETF from time to time to conform to periodic changes in the index target.
Read more on IWM →Annaly Capital Management Inc is an American mortgage real estate investment trust. The company segments its operations into Residential and Commercial real estate investments. While Annaly's Residential assets are primarily comprised of agency mortgage-backed securities and debentures, it is primarily invested in commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in its Commercial unit through its subsidiary, Annaly Commercial Real Estate Group. Agency mortgage-backed securities and debentures make up the majority of the company's overall portfolio. Most of the company's counterparties are located in the U.S. Annaly generates nearly all of its revenue from the spread between interest earned on its assets and interest payments made on its borrowings.
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