IJR vs. VB
IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index while VB tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 11.06%/yr vs 11.47%/yr for VB. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.
Performance
IJR vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IJR achieves a 19.71% return, which is significantly higher than VB's 15.38% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJR having a 11.06% annualized return and VB not far ahead at 11.47%.
IJR
- 1D
- 1.81%
- 1M
- 5.41%
- YTD
- 19.71%
- 6M
- 17.56%
- 1Y
- 36.69%
- 3Y*
- 15.04%
- 5Y*
- 7.27%
- 10Y*
- 11.06%
VB
- 1D
- 1.17%
- 1M
- 3.51%
- YTD
- 15.38%
- 6M
- 13.90%
- 1Y
- 29.84%
- 3Y*
- 16.28%
- 5Y*
- 7.90%
- 10Y*
- 11.47%
IJR vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 19.71% | 5.89% | 8.63% | 16.06% | -16.20% | 26.58% | 11.28% | 22.82% | -8.51% | 13.15% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 15.38% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJR and VB 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.97 |
The correlation between IJR and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
IJR vs. VB - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IJR
VB
Financial Services
Industrials
Technology
Consumer Cyclical
Healthcare
Real Estate
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Financial Services
IJR
VB
Industrials
IJR
VB
Technology
IJR
VB
Consumer Cyclical
IJR
VB
Healthcare
IJR
VB
Real Estate
IJR
VB
Energy
IJR
VB
Basic Materials
IJR
VB
Communication Services
IJR
VB
Consumer Defensive
IJR
VB
Utilities
IJR
VB
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Return for Risk
IJR vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
IJR
VB
IJR vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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 | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.31 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.22 | 3.35 | +0.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.18 | 12.30 | +1.88 |
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Drawdowns
IJR vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, roughly equal to the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IJR | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.15% | -59.56% | +1.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -8.98% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.02% | -25.36% | -2.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.02% | -28.15% | +0.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.36% | -42.05% | -2.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.13% | -0.65% | +0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.27% | -8.42% | -0.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.58% | 2.44% | +0.14% |
Volatility
IJR vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) have volatilities of 5.21% and 5.24%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IJR | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.21% | 5.24% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.06% | 12.23% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.72% | 16.63% | +1.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.42% | 20.80% | +0.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.93% | 21.45% | +1.48% |
IJR vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% 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
IJR vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, less than VB's 1.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.15% | 1.44% | 2.05% | 1.31% | 1.41% | 1.53% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.58% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.48% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.18% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, IJR and VB 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.
VB has higher volatility (5.24%) compared to IJR (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs VB's -59.56%.
On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.47% vs 11.06% for IJR. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VB has performed better with a 11.47% return vs 11.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IJR.
VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 1.15% for IJR.
IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.05% for VB.
IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.81), 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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