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IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

IJR.AX (iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF) and SMLL.AX (BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - IJR.AX tracks the iShares S&P Small-Cap Index while SMLL.AX tracks the BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IJR.AX returned 9.05%/yr vs 2.39%/yr for SMLL.AX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX) and BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (SMLL.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJR.AX achieves a 15.84% return, which is significantly higher than SMLL.AX's -10.24% return.

IJR.AX

1D
0.65%
1M
1.95%
6M
11.15%
YTD
15.84%
1Y
22.13%
3Y*
13.31%
5Y*
9.05%
10Y*
19.56%

SMLL.AX

1D
0.49%
1M
-1.89%
6M
-13.55%
YTD
-10.24%
1Y
13.10%
3Y*
8.68%
5Y*
2.39%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJR.AX
iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF		15.84%-1.20%16.88%16.63%-9.47%34.92%1.20%24.13%1.02%11.74%
SMLL.AX
BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF		-10.24%33.20%2.52%4.79%-18.38%18.80%15.15%21.35%-10.00%13.67%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR.AX and SMLL.AX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.28

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.29

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.37

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2017

0.38

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iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF

BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF

Return for Risk

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IJR.AX
IJR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
IJR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4747
Martin Ratio Rank
SMLL.AX
SMLL.AX Risk / Return Rank: 2020
Overall Rank
SMLL.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMLL.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMLL.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
SMLL.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMLL.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX) and BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (SMLL.AX). 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.

IJR.AXSMLL.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
0.66

+0.76

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.02
1.02

+1.00

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.13

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.06

0.65

+1.40

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.31

1.32

+4.98

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the SMLL.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR.AX and SMLL.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR.AX drawdown since its inception was -35.55%, smaller than the maximum SMLL.AX drawdown of -40.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR.AX and SMLL.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJR.AXSMLL.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.55%

-40.17%

+4.62%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.45%

-20.00%

+8.55%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.63%

-20.00%

-4.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.63%

-25.98%

+1.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.84%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.46%

-16.46%

+14.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.01%

-8.47%

+0.46%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.78%

10.11%

-6.33%

Volatility

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX) is 3.51%, while BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (SMLL.AX) has a volatility of 3.89%. This indicates that IJR.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLL.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IJR.AXSMLL.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.51%

3.89%

-0.38%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.38%

15.92%

-3.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.64%

19.71%

-3.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.46%

18.01%

+0.45%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

36.92%

18.16%

+18.76%

Dividends

IJR.AX vs. SMLL.AX - Dividend Comparison

IJR.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than SMLL.AX's 1.90% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
IJR.AX
iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF		0.77%0.87%1.26%1.29%1.86%1.66%1.52%2.18%1.53%0.10%0.70%
SMLL.AX
BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select ETF		1.90%1.15%1.35%1.69%3.92%5.80%2.13%2.33%4.20%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IJR.AX and SMLL.AX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IJR.AX tracks iShares S&P Small-Cap Index, while SMLL.AX tracks BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BetaShares.

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