PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IJR vs. VBK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJR vs. VBK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 10.83%/yr vs 10.92%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

IJR vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJR achieves a 23.60% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 14.98% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJR having a 10.83% annualized return and VBK not far ahead at 10.92%.

IJR

1D
1.65%
1M
0.94%
6M
15.73%
YTD
23.60%
1Y
38.11%
3Y*
14.47%
5Y*
8.07%
10Y*
10.83%
ALL TIME*
10.21%

VBK

1D
1.81%
1M
-3.14%
6M
10.32%
YTD
14.98%
1Y
25.41%
3Y*
15.04%
5Y*
4.55%
10Y*
10.92%
ALL TIME*
9.83%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IJR

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
$497.97M$462.30M$544.01M

VBK

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF
$70.46M$72.06M$83.50M

IJR vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		23.60%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		14.98%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR and VBK is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.83

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.89

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.89

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.91

The correlation between IJR and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJR vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJR
VBK

Financial Services

17.0%
5.7%

Industrials

15.6%
23.4%

Technology

15.5%
27.1%

Consumer Cyclical

13.2%
8.9%

Healthcare

12.4%
17.9%

Real Estate

7.6%
3.7%

Energy

4.9%
3.4%

Basic Materials

4.7%
3.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
2.0%

Communication Services

3.2%
3.6%

Utilities

1.8%
1.1%

Financial Services

IJR
17.0%
VBK
5.7%

Industrials

IJR
15.6%
VBK
23.4%

Technology

IJR
15.5%
VBK
27.1%

Consumer Cyclical

IJR
13.2%
VBK
8.9%

Healthcare

IJR
12.4%
VBK
17.9%

Real Estate

IJR
7.6%
VBK
3.7%

Energy

IJR
4.9%
VBK
3.4%

Basic Materials

IJR
4.7%
VBK
3.1%

Consumer Defensive

IJR
4.2%
VBK
2.0%

Communication Services

IJR
3.2%
VBK
3.6%

Utilities

IJR
1.8%
VBK
1.1%

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

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR
Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOGVBK vs. VTWG

Return for Risk

IJR vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8989
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4646
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IJR vs. VBK - 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 Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

IJRVBKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.22
1.25

+0.96

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.22
1.81

+1.41

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.22

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.41

2.23

+2.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

15.06

7.52

+7.54

IJR vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR and VBK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IJR vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, roughly equal to the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and VBK.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IJRVBKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.15%

-58.68%

+0.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.68%

-11.44%

+2.76%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.02%

-27.54%

-0.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.02%

-38.39%

+10.37%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.36%

-38.70%

-5.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.30%

-5.22%

+4.92%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.23%

-10.10%

+0.87%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.54%

3.39%

-0.85%

Volatility

IJR vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is 3.73%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that IJR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IJRVBKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.73%

5.46%

-1.73%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.70%

15.90%

-4.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.30%

20.39%

-3.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.26%

23.67%

-2.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.86%

22.92%

-0.06%

IJR vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK'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. VBK - Dividend Comparison

IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, more than VBK's 0.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.44%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

IJR and VBK have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBK has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to IJR (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs VBK's -58.68%.

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 10.92% vs 10.83% for IJR. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 10.92% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IJR.

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.44% for VBK.

IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.05% for VBK.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.25), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IJR and VBK

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer