IJT vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IJT (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJT is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth 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, IJT returned 10.80%/yr vs 10.76%/yr for IJR. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IJT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

IJT vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) 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 investments are quite close, with IJT having a 16.04% return and IJR slightly higher at 16.42%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IJT having a 10.80% annualized return and IJR not far behind at 10.76%.

IJT

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 16.04%
• 6M: 15.93%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 14.61%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

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)

IJT vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF	16.04%	5.26%	9.33%	17.11%	-21.32%	22.37%	19.22%	20.98%	-4.40%	14.47%
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 IJT 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 IJT and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJT vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJT	IJR
Technology	20.1%	15.5%
Industrials	20.0%	15.5%
Healthcare	14.5%	11.1%
Financial Services	13.6%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	13.4%
Real Estate	6.3%	7.6%
Energy	4.9%	5.9%
Basic Materials	2.8%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	3.5%
Communication Services	2.7%	3.6%
Utilities	1.9%	2.0%

Return for Risk

IJT vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IJT

IJT Risk / Return Rank: 53
IJT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IJT Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IJT Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IJT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
IJT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

IJT vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) 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.

	IJT	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	2.00	-0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.88	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.34	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	3.96	-0.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	13.21	-2.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJT vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJT Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJT 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

	IJT	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	2.00	-0.37
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	0.47	0.47	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.44	-0.04

Drawdowns

IJT vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJT drawdown since its inception was -57.61%, roughly equal to the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJT and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJT	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.61%	-58.15%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.08%	-8.68%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.41%	-28.02%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-28.02%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.03%	-44.36%	+2.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-0.02%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-9.28%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.60%	+0.01%

Volatility

IJT vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) have volatilities of 4.61% 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

	IJT	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	4.46%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.49%	11.63%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.55%	17.51%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.50%	21.40%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.03%	22.91%	+0.12%

IJT vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJT has a 0.18% 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

IJT vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

IJT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less 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%
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF	0.76%	0.91%	1.06%	1.02%	1.08%	0.63%	0.68%	0.92%	0.92%	0.86%	1.03%	1.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJT and IJR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, IJT 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, IJT or IJR?

IJT has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to IJR (4.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJT dropped -57.61% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, IJT or IJR?

On 10-year performance, IJT leads with 10.80% vs 10.76% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJT or IJR?

Over the 10-year period, IJT has performed better with a 10.80% return vs 10.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJT or IJR?

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IJT.

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

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.76% for IJT.

What is the main difference between IJT and IJR?

IJT is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. IJT tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IJT and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.63), 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.