IJK vs. MDYG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) and MDYG (SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, from iShares and State Street respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJK returned 11.54%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for MDYG. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IJK charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for MDYG.

Performance

IJK vs. MDYG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IJK having a 19.41% return and MDYG slightly higher at 19.44%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJK having a 11.54% annualized return and MDYG not far ahead at 11.58%.

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%

MDYG

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 4.57%
• YTD: 19.44%
• 6M: 18.73%
• 1Y: 30.20%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

IJK vs. MDYG - 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%
MDYG SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF	19.44%	7.22%	15.84%	17.30%	-18.92%	18.46%	22.57%	26.10%	-10.46%	19.61%

Correlation

The correlation between IJK and MDYG is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005	0.95

The correlation between IJK and MDYG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJK vs. MDYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJK	MDYG
Industrials	31.1%	30.9%
Technology	21.8%	21.5%
Healthcare	13.5%	13.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	8.1%
Financial Services	7.3%	7.1%
Real Estate	5.5%	5.6%
Energy	3.7%	3.7%
Basic Materials	3.6%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	2.1%
Utilities	2.0%	2.0%
Communication Services	1.5%	1.5%

Return for Risk

IJK vs. MDYG — 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

MDYG

MDYG Risk / Return Rank: 58
MDYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MDYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
MDYG Omega Ratio Rank: 51
MDYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
MDYG Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. MDYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF (MDYG). 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	MDYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.78	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.56	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.31	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.06	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	12.24	-0.15
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. MDYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJK Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the MDYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJK and MDYG, 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	MDYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.78	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.42	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.55	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.48	-0.11

Drawdowns

IJK vs. MDYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJK drawdown since its inception was -54.47%, smaller than the maximum MDYG drawdown of -58.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJK and MDYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJK	MDYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.47%	-58.44%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-9.91%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-25.45%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-29.26%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.25%	-39.27%	+0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.80%	-8.03%	-2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	2.47%	+0.04%

Volatility

IJK vs. MDYG - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF (MDYG) have volatilities of 4.98% and 5.08%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJK	MDYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	5.08%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	13.21%	-0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.00%	17.01%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	20.62%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.06%	21.05%	+0.01%

IJK vs. MDYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJK has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than MDYG's 0.15% 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. MDYG - Dividend Comparison

IJK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than MDYG's 0.61% 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%
MDYG SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.75%	0.87%	1.20%	1.16%	0.69%	0.71%	1.21%	1.36%	2.23%	1.25%	2.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJK and MDYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, IJK and MDYG 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.

Which is riskier, IJK or MDYG?

MDYG has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to IJK (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJK dropped -54.47% vs MDYG's -58.44%.

Which ETF is better, IJK or MDYG?

On 10-year performance, MDYG leads with 11.58% vs 11.54% for IJK. On fees, MDYG is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IJK has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJK or MDYG?

Over the 10-year period, MDYG has performed better with a 11.58% return vs 11.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJK or MDYG?

MDYG is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for IJK.

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

MDYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.54% for IJK.

What is the main difference between IJK and MDYG?

Both ETFs track S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for IJK and 0.15% for MDYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.78), 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.