IJS vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IJS (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJS is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJS returned 10.20%/yr vs 10.76%/yr for IJR. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IJS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

IJS vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IJS having a 16.54% return and IJR slightly lower at 16.42%. Over the past 10 years, IJS has underperformed IJR with an annualized return of 10.20%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively higher 10.76% annualized return.

IJS

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 17.68%
• 1Y: 41.12%
• 3Y*: 14.47%
• 5Y*: 5.86%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

IJR

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 16.42%
• 6M: 16.87%
• 1Y: 34.85%
• 3Y*: 14.73%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 10.76%

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

IJS vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	16.54%	6.54%	7.33%	14.68%	-11.34%	30.53%	2.63%	24.11%	-12.86%	11.35%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	16.42%	5.89%	8.63%	16.06%	-16.20%	26.58%	11.28%	22.82%	-8.51%	13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between IJS and IJR is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2000	0.97

The correlation between IJS and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJS vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJS	IJR
Financial Services	19.8%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	15.9%	13.4%
Industrials	11.6%	15.5%
Technology	11.3%	15.5%
Real Estate	8.7%	7.6%
Energy	7.6%	5.9%
Healthcare	7.6%	11.1%
Basic Materials	7.1%	5.1%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.5%
Utilities	2.2%	2.0%

Return for Risk

IJS vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IJS

IJS Risk / Return Rank: 71
IJS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IJS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IJS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IJS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
IJS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 64
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

IJS vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.

	IJS	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.00	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	2.88	+0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.35	3.96	+0.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	13.21	+1.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJS vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJS Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJS and IJR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IJS	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.00	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.28	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.47	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.44	-0.03

Drawdowns

IJS vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJS drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, roughly equal to the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJS and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJS	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-58.15%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-8.68%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.65%	-28.02%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.65%	-28.02%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.68%	-44.36%	-3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-9.28%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.60%	+0.23%

Volatility

IJS vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) have volatilities of 4.43% and 4.46%, 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

	IJS	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	4.46%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	11.63%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	17.51%	+0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	21.40%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	22.91%	+0.69%

IJS vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% 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

IJS vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

IJS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than IJR's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	1.14%	1.44%	2.05%	1.31%	1.41%	1.53%	1.11%	1.44%	1.58%	1.20%	1.22%	1.48%
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	1.28%	1.62%	1.78%	1.42%	1.46%	1.52%	1.00%	1.66%	1.75%	1.41%	1.22%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJS and IJR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, IJS and IJR 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.

Which is riskier, IJS or IJR?

IJR has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to IJS (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJS dropped -60.11% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, IJS or IJR?

On 10-year performance, IJR leads with 10.76% vs 10.20% for IJS. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% 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, IJS or IJR?

Over the 10-year period, IJR has performed better with a 10.76% return vs 10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJS or IJR?

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IJS.

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

IJS has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.14% for IJR.

What is the main difference between IJS and IJR?

IJS is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IJS and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.00), 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.