IJS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IJS (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJS is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJS returned 10.54%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IJS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IJS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJS achieves a 19.33% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.07% return. Over the past 10 years, IJS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.54%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

IJS

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 7.82%
• YTD: 19.33%
• 6M: 16.46%
• 1Y: 41.83%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 25.67%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

IJS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	19.33%	6.54%	7.33%	14.68%	-11.34%	30.53%	2.63%	24.11%	-12.86%	11.35%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IJS and SPY is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2000	0.81

The correlation between IJS and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (3 years) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJS	SPY
Financial Services	19.4%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	15.4%	9.9%
Technology	13.4%	39.0%
Industrials	11.6%	7.8%
Real Estate	8.6%	1.8%
Healthcare	7.3%	8.3%
Energy	7.0%	3.1%
Basic Materials	6.9%	1.7%
Communication Services	4.4%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.5%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%

Return for Risk

IJS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IJS

IJS Risk / Return Rank: 79
IJS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
IJS Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
IJS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
IJS Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IJS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	IJS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.98	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.68	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.36	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	2.74	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.93	12.39	+1.54

IJS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJS Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJS and SPY, 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

IJS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJS drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-55.19%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-8.88%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.65%	-18.76%	-9.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.65%	-24.50%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.68%	-33.72%	-13.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.35%	+2.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.88%	-9.04%	-0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	1.97%	+0.85%

Volatility

IJS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.34%. This indicates that IJS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	4.34%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	9.58%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.38%	12.29%	+6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	17.12%	+4.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	17.96%	+5.64%

IJS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IJS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	1.25%	1.62%	1.78%	1.42%	1.46%	1.52%	1.00%	1.66%	1.75%	1.41%	1.22%	1.59%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJS and SPY in my portfolio?

IJS and SPY have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJS or SPY?

IJS has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to SPY (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJS dropped -60.11% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IJS or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.42% vs 10.54% for IJS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJS or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.42% return vs 10.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IJS.

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

IJS has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between IJS and SPY?

IJS is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IJS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.98), 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.