IJK vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJK is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJK returned 11.54%/yr vs 10.68%/yr for IJR. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IJK charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

IJK vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJK achieves a 19.41% return, which is significantly higher than IJR's 16.89% return. Over the past 10 years, IJK has outperformed IJR with an annualized return of 11.54%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively lower 10.68% annualized return.

IJK

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 19.41%
• 6M: 18.76%
• 1Y: 30.22%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

IJR

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 6M: 15.84%
• 1Y: 33.61%
• 3Y*: 15.68%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 10.68%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJK vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	19.41%	7.28%	15.68%	17.41%	-19.03%	18.68%	22.45%	25.96%	-10.53%	19.64%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	16.89%	5.89%	8.63%	16.06%	-16.20%	26.58%	11.28%	22.82%	-8.51%	13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between IJK and IJR is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2000	0.91

The correlation between IJK and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJK vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJK	IJR
Industrials	31.1%	15.5%
Technology	21.8%	15.5%
Healthcare	13.5%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	13.4%
Financial Services	7.3%	16.8%
Real Estate	5.5%	7.6%
Energy	3.7%	5.9%
Basic Materials	3.6%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	3.5%
Utilities	2.0%	2.0%
Communication Services	1.5%	3.6%

Return for Risk

IJK vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IJK

IJK Risk / Return Rank: 58
IJK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
IJK Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IJK Omega Ratio Rank: 51
IJK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IJK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 64
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IJK vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.

	IJK	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.93	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.78	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.89	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	12.94	-0.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJK vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJK Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJK and IJR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IJK	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.93	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.28	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.47	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.44	-0.07

Drawdowns

IJK vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJK drawdown since its inception was -54.47%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJK and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJK	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.47%	-58.15%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-8.68%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-28.02%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-28.02%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.25%	-44.36%	+5.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.80%	-9.28%	-1.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	2.60%	-0.09%

Volatility

IJK vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.42%. This indicates that IJK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJK	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	4.42%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	11.71%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.00%	17.51%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	21.41%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.06%	22.90%	-1.84%

IJK vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJK has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IJK vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

IJK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than IJR's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	0.54%	0.66%	0.79%	1.13%	1.08%	0.50%	0.70%	1.09%	1.13%	0.93%	1.15%	1.12%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	1.14%	1.44%	2.05%	1.31%	1.41%	1.53%	1.11%	1.44%	1.58%	1.20%	1.22%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJK and IJR in my portfolio?

IJK and IJR have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJK or IJR?

IJK has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to IJR (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJK dropped -54.47% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, IJK or IJR?

On 10-year performance, IJK leads with 11.54% vs 10.68% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJK or IJR?

Over the 10-year period, IJK has performed better with a 11.54% return vs 10.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJK or IJR?

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for IJK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IJK or IJR?

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.54% for IJK.

What is the main difference between IJK and IJR?

IJK is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. IJK tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for IJK and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.79), 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.