IJK vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJK is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJK returned 12.28%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for SCHM. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IJK charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

IJK vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJK achieves a 20.02% return, which is significantly lower than SCHM's 22.04% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJK having a 12.28% annualized return and SCHM not far ahead at 12.31%.

IJK

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 20.02%
• 6M: 17.34%
• 1Y: 30.65%
• 3Y*: 17.91%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 12.28%

SCHM

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 22.04%
• 6M: 19.62%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

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

IJK vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	20.02%	7.28%	15.68%	17.41%	-19.03%	18.68%	22.45%	25.96%	-10.53%	19.64%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	22.04%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%

Correlation

The correlation between IJK and SCHM is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.97

The correlation between IJK and SCHM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJK vs. SCHM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJK	SCHM
Industrials	30.2%	21.7%
Technology	24.8%	22.1%
Healthcare	13.7%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	10.8%
Financial Services	6.7%	10.9%
Real Estate	5.3%	6.4%
Basic Materials	3.5%	4.7%
Energy	3.2%	3.4%
Utilities	2.0%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	3.4%
Communication Services	1.4%	2.6%

Return for Risk

IJK vs. SCHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IJK

IJK Risk / Return Rank: 65
IJK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IJK Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IJK Omega Ratio Rank: 56
IJK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IJK Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 78
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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.

	IJK	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.12	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	2.95	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.71	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.17	14.81	-2.64

IJK vs. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJK Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJK and SCHM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IJK vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJK drawdown since its inception was -54.47%, which is greater than SCHM's maximum drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJK and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJK	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.47%	-42.43%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-9.32%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-23.27%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-26.46%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.25%	-42.43%	+3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	0.00%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-5.64%	-5.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.33%	+0.20%

Volatility

IJK vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) is 5.54%, while Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a volatility of 5.91%. This indicates that IJK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJK	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	5.91%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.80%	12.69%	+1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.60%	16.37%	+1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.78%	19.68%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	20.49%	+0.59%

IJK vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJK has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% 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. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

IJK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than SCHM's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	0.53%	0.66%	0.79%	1.13%	1.08%	0.50%	0.70%	1.09%	1.13%	0.93%	1.15%	1.12%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.21%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJK and SCHM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IJK and SCHM 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 SCHM?

SCHM has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to IJK (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJK dropped -54.47% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which ETF is better, IJK or SCHM?

On 10-year performance, SCHM leads with 12.31% vs 12.28% for IJK. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IJK has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJK or SCHM?

Over the 10-year period, SCHM has performed better with a 12.31% return vs 12.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJK or SCHM?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for IJK.

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

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.53% for IJK.

What is the main difference between IJK and SCHM?

IJK is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while SCHM is Mid Cap Blend Equities. IJK tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for IJK and 0.04% for SCHM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.75), 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.