IJS vs. VGK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IJS (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF) and VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJS is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJS returned 10.20%/yr vs 9.39%/yr for VGK. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IJS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VGK.

Performance

IJS vs. VGK - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJS achieves a 16.54% return, which is significantly higher than VGK's 6.90% return. Over the past 10 years, IJS has outperformed VGK with an annualized return of 10.20%, while VGK has yielded a comparatively lower 9.39% 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%

VGK

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 10.71%
• 1Y: 18.42%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

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

IJS vs. VGK - 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%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	6.90%	35.83%	1.88%	20.19%	-15.98%	16.89%	5.43%	24.85%	-14.89%	26.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IJS and VGK is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2005	0.69

The correlation between IJS and VGK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJS vs. VGK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJS	VGK
Financial Services	19.8%	23.9%
Consumer Cyclical	15.9%	6.8%
Industrials	11.6%	19.5%
Technology	11.3%	8.3%
Real Estate	8.7%	1.5%
Energy	7.6%	5.3%
Healthcare	7.6%	12.1%
Basic Materials	7.1%	5.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	8.5%
Utilities	2.2%	4.8%

Return for Risk

IJS vs. VGK — 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

VGK

VGK Risk / Return Rank: 34
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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. VGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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	VGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.21	+1.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	1.76	+1.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.22	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.35	1.62	+2.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	6.04	+8.21
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. VGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJS Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the VGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJS and VGK, 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	VGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	1.21	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.49	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.50	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.28	+0.13

Drawdowns

IJS vs. VGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJS drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, smaller than the maximum VGK drawdown of -63.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJS and VGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJS	VGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-63.61%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-12.09%	+2.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.65%	-14.31%	-14.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.65%	-32.74%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.68%	-37.24%	-10.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.23%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-13.35%	+3.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	3.24%	-0.41%

Volatility

IJS vs. VGK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) is 4.43%, while Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) has a volatility of 5.94%. This indicates that IJS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJS	VGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	5.94%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	12.73%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	15.38%	+2.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	17.89%	+4.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	18.96%	+4.64%

IJS vs. VGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

IJS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than VGK's 2.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	2.78%	2.86%	3.61%	3.15%	3.25%	3.05%	2.11%	3.27%	3.95%	2.70%	3.52%	3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJS and VGK in my portfolio?

IJS and VGK have a correlation of 0.65, 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 VGK?

VGK has higher volatility (5.94%) compared to IJS (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJS dropped -60.11% vs VGK's -63.61%.

Which ETF is better, IJS or VGK?

On 10-year performance, IJS leads with 10.20% vs 9.39% for VGK. On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJS has been the lower-risk option at 4.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJS or VGK?

Over the 10-year period, IJS has performed better with a 10.20% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJS or VGK?

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

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

VGK has the higher dividend yield at 2.78%, compared with 1.28% for IJS.

What is the main difference between IJS and VGK?

IJS is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VGK is Europe Equities. IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IJS and 0.06% for VGK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.21), 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.