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IJR vs. VPL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJR vs. VPL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 10.86%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for VPL. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

IJR vs. VPL - 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 FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IJR having a 21.59% return and VPL slightly lower at 20.61%. Over the past 10 years, IJR has outperformed VPL with an annualized return of 10.86%, while VPL has yielded a comparatively lower 9.52% annualized return.

IJR

1D
-0.03%
1M
-0.70%
6M
15.04%
YTD
21.59%
1Y
35.87%
3Y*
13.39%
5Y*
7.39%
10Y*
10.86%
ALL TIME*
10.14%

VPL

1D
-1.01%
1M
-2.62%
6M
10.34%
YTD
20.61%
1Y
37.66%
3Y*
18.88%
5Y*
9.33%
10Y*
9.52%
ALL TIME*
6.48%
*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
$499.82M$465.35M$539.29M

VPL

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF
$40.49M$47.90M$62.42M

IJR vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		21.59%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		20.61%32.66%1.68%15.58%-15.20%1.10%16.65%18.16%-14.40%28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR and VPL is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

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

0.60

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

0.63

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

0.67

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

0.66

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005

0.68

The correlation between IJR and VPL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJR vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJR
VPL

Financial Services

17.0%
17.8%

Industrials

15.6%
17.4%

Technology

15.5%
31.6%

Consumer Cyclical

13.2%
8.8%

Healthcare

12.4%
4.3%

Real Estate

7.6%
3.6%

Energy

4.9%
1.1%

Basic Materials

4.7%
6.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
3.2%

Communication Services

3.2%
4.4%

Utilities

1.8%
1.3%

Financial Services

IJR
17.0%
VPL
17.8%

Industrials

IJR
15.6%
VPL
17.4%

Technology

IJR
15.5%
VPL
31.6%

Consumer Cyclical

IJR
13.2%
VPL
8.8%

Healthcare

IJR
12.4%
VPL
4.3%

Real Estate

IJR
7.6%
VPL
3.6%

Energy

IJR
4.9%
VPL
1.1%

Basic Materials

IJR
4.7%
VPL
6.5%

Consumer Defensive

IJR
4.2%
VPL
3.2%

Communication Services

IJR
3.2%
VPL
4.4%

Utilities

IJR
1.8%
VPL
1.3%

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 FTSE Pacific ETF

Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR
Often compared with VPL:
VPL vs. AAXJVPL vs. VEAVPL vs. VWOVPL vs. VXUSVPL vs. IPACVPL vs. VGKVPL vs. VEU

Return for Risk

IJR vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank
VPL
VPL Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
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. VPL - 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 FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). 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.

IJRVPLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.95
1.59

+0.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.87
2.16

+0.71

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.30

+0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.89

2.84

+1.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.29

8.65

+4.64

IJR vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR and VPL, 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. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, roughly equal to the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and VPL.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJRVPLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.15%

-55.49%

-2.66%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.68%

-13.33%

+4.65%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.02%

-16.35%

-11.67%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.02%

-31.09%

+3.07%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.36%

-33.90%

-10.46%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.92%

-9.69%

+7.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.23%

-11.59%

+2.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.54%

4.37%

-1.83%

Volatility

IJR vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is 3.40%, while Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that IJR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IJRVPLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.40%

9.21%

-5.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.62%

21.74%

-10.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.33%

23.77%

-6.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.25%

18.34%

+2.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.85%

17.73%

+5.12%

IJR vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VPL's 0.08% 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. VPL - Dividend Comparison

IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than VPL's 2.77% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.13%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		2.77%4.01%3.15%3.12%2.75%3.19%1.81%2.84%3.06%2.57%2.65%2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

IJR and VPL have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VPL has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to IJR (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs VPL's -55.49%.

On 10-year performance, IJR leads with 10.86% vs 9.52% for VPL. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJR has performed better with a 10.86% return vs 9.52%. 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 0.08% for VPL.

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 1.13% for IJR.

IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VPL is Asia Pacific Equities. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.08% for VPL.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.59), 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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