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IJR vs. DIA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJR vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while DIA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 11.16%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for DIA. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

IJR vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). 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 achieves a 19.73% return, which is significantly higher than DIA's 7.27% return. Over the past 10 years, IJR has underperformed DIA with an annualized return of 11.16%, while DIA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.40% annualized return.

IJR

1D
0.97%
1M
5.53%
YTD
19.73%
6M
16.47%
1Y
37.01%
3Y*
14.75%
5Y*
6.25%
10Y*
11.16%

DIA

1D
0.73%
1M
2.50%
YTD
7.27%
6M
6.43%
1Y
23.20%
3Y*
16.29%
5Y*
10.14%
10Y*
13.40%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJR vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.73%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%
DIA
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust		7.27%14.71%14.82%16.02%-7.02%20.83%9.59%24.70%-3.74%28.08%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR and DIA is 0.81, 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

0.81

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

0.79

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

0.82

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000

0.80

The correlation between IJR and DIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJR vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJR
DIA

Financial Services

16.0%
27.3%

Industrials

16.0%
18.1%

Technology

15.9%
19.1%

Consumer Cyclical

12.5%
11.0%

Healthcare

11.0%
12.8%

Real Estate

7.5%

-

Energy

6.8%
2.2%

Basic Materials

4.7%
3.7%

Communication Services

3.2%
1.8%

Consumer Defensive

3.2%
4.1%

Utilities

1.9%

-

Financial Services

IJR
16.0%
DIA
27.3%

Industrials

IJR
16.0%
DIA
18.1%

Technology

IJR
15.9%
DIA
19.1%

Consumer Cyclical

IJR
12.5%
DIA
11.0%

Healthcare

IJR
11.0%
DIA
12.8%

Real Estate

IJR
7.5%
DIA

-

Energy

IJR
6.8%
DIA
2.2%

Basic Materials

IJR
4.7%
DIA
3.7%

Communication Services

IJR
3.2%
DIA
1.8%

Consumer Defensive

IJR
3.2%
DIA
4.1%

Utilities

IJR
1.9%
DIA

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR
Often compared with DIA:
DIA vs. QQQDIA vs. SPYDIA vs. VOODIA vs. DJDDIA vs. SCHDDIA vs. IYYDIA vs. ^DJI

Return for Risk

IJR vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
DIA
DIA Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
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 vs. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). 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.

IJRDIADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.94
1.69

+0.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.80
2.46

+0.34

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.30

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.97

2.16

+1.81

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.35

8.35

+5.00

IJR vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR and DIA, 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 vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, which is greater than DIA's maximum drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and DIA.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJRDIADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.15%

-51.87%

-6.28%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.68%

-9.76%

+1.08%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.02%

-15.95%

-12.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.02%

-20.76%

-7.26%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.36%

-36.70%

-7.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.70%

+0.70%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.27%

-7.14%

-2.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.59%

2.53%

+0.06%

Volatility

IJR vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a higher volatility of 5.18% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 4.32%. This indicates that IJR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IJRDIADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.18%

4.32%

+0.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.97%

9.78%

+2.19%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.76%

12.52%

+5.24%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.43%

14.85%

+6.58%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.92%

17.56%

+5.36%

IJR vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than DIA's 0.16% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IJR vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, less than DIA's 1.37% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DIA
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust		1.37%1.43%1.61%1.81%1.91%1.58%1.87%1.85%2.24%1.97%2.26%2.33%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.11%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

IJR and DIA have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IJR has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to DIA (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs DIA's -51.87%.

On 10-year performance, DIA leads with 13.40% vs 11.16% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 4.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DIA has performed better with a 13.40% return vs 11.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for DIA.

DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.11% for IJR.

IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.16% for DIA.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.69), 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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