IJR vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 10.83%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

IJR vs. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJR achieves a 23.60% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, IJR has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 10.83%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% annualized return.

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%

VTI

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 1.38%
• 6M: 9.81%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 1Y: 23.70%
• 3Y*: 20.38%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 14.66%
• ALL TIME*: 9.64%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. 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
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.08B	$1.16B	$1.24B

IJR vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.18%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR and VTI is 0.77, 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.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.88

The correlation between IJR and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJR vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJR	VTI
Financial Services	17.0%	11.8%
Industrials	15.6%	10.2%
Technology	15.5%	36.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	9.4%
Healthcare	12.4%	9.7%
Real Estate	7.6%	2.3%
Energy	4.9%	3.2%
Basic Materials	4.7%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	4.3%
Communication Services	3.2%	9.1%
Utilities	1.8%	2.2%

Return for Risk

IJR vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 90
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 78
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	1.82	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.52	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	2.67	+1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.06	11.50	+3.56

IJR vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IJR vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJR	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.15%	-55.45%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-8.92%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.02%	-19.30%	-8.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.02%	-25.36%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.36%	-35.00%	-9.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	0.00%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.23%	-7.98%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.07%	+0.47%

Volatility

IJR vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 3.73% and 3.78%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	IJR	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	3.78%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.70%	10.33%	+1.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	13.08%	+4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	17.53%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	18.31%	+4.55%

IJR vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJR and VTI in my portfolio?

IJR and VTI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJR or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to IJR (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, IJR or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.66% vs 10.83% for IJR. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJR or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.66% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJR or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IJR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IJR or VTI?

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.

What is the main difference between IJR and VTI?

IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.82), 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.