IJH vs. VB
IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJH returned 11.45%/yr vs 11.49%/yr for VB. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
IJH vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IJH having a 14.66% return and VB slightly lower at 14.53%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJH having a 11.45% annualized return and VB not far ahead at 11.49%.
IJH
- 1D
- 2.51%
- 1M
- 2.96%
- YTD
- 14.66%
- 6M
- 11.74%
- 1Y
- 25.20%
- 3Y*
- 15.52%
- 5Y*
- 8.10%
- 10Y*
- 11.45%
VB
- 1D
- 2.50%
- 1M
- 2.79%
- YTD
- 14.53%
- 6M
- 11.37%
- 1Y
- 27.63%
- 3Y*
- 16.36%
- 5Y*
- 6.83%
- 10Y*
- 11.49%
IJH vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 14.66% | 7.42% | 13.92% | 16.40% | -13.11% | 24.72% | 13.60% | 26.10% | -11.19% | 16.26% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 14.53% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJH and VB is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.97 |
The correlation between IJH and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
IJH vs. VB - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IJH
VB
Industrials
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Healthcare
Real Estate
Energy
Basic Materials
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Communication Services
Industrials
IJH
VB
Technology
IJH
VB
Financial Services
IJH
VB
Consumer Cyclical
IJH
VB
Healthcare
IJH
VB
Real Estate
IJH
VB
Energy
IJH
VB
Basic Materials
IJH
VB
Consumer Defensive
IJH
VB
Utilities
IJH
VB
Communication Services
IJH
VB
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Return for Risk
IJH vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
IJH
VB
IJH vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| IJH | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.29 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.87 | 3.09 | -0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.47 | 11.33 | -0.87 |
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Drawdowns
IJH vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJH drawdown since its inception was -55.07%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJH and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IJH | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.07% | -59.56% | +4.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.83% | -8.98% | +0.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.10% | -25.36% | +1.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.10% | -28.15% | +4.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.18% | -42.05% | -0.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.37% | +0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.56% | -8.43% | +0.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.41% | 2.45% | -0.04% |
Volatility
IJH vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is 5.07%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 5.40%. This indicates that IJH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IJH | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.07% | 5.40% | -0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.85% | 12.32% | -0.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.89% | 16.67% | -0.78% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.80% | 20.80% | -1.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.20% | 21.45% | -0.25% |
IJH vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both IJH and VB have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IJH vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
IJH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, which matches VB's 1.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 1.18% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.46% | 1.68% | 1.18% | 1.28% | 1.63% | 1.72% | 1.19% | 1.60% | 1.56% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.19% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, IJH and VB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VB has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to IJH (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJH dropped -55.07% vs VB's -59.56%.
On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.49% vs 11.45% for IJH. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VB has performed better with a 11.49% return vs 11.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IJH and VB have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.
VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 1.18% for IJH.
IJH is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.59), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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