IJT vs. VNQ
IJT (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJT is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJT returned 11.03%/yr vs 5.01%/yr for VNQ. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IJT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
IJT vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IJT achieves a 24.93% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's 14.15% return. Over the past 10 years, IJT has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 11.03%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.01% annualized return.
IJT
- 1D
- 1.80%
- 1M
- -0.05%
- 6M
- 17.88%
- YTD
- 24.93%
- 1Y
- 34.82%
- 3Y*
- 15.10%
- 5Y*
- 7.04%
- 10Y*
- 11.03%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.64%
VNQ
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 1.07%
- 6M
- 12.41%
- YTD
- 14.15%
- 1Y
- 15.73%
- 3Y*
- 10.35%
- 5Y*
- 2.55%
- 10Y*
- 5.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.73%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38.87M | $35.40M | $31.70M | |
| $295.66M | $303.76M | $314.69M |
IJT vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF | 24.93% | 5.26% | 9.33% | 17.11% | -21.32% | 22.37% | 19.22% | 20.98% | -4.40% | 14.47% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 14.15% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJT and VNQ is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.47 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.59 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.65 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.59 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004 | 0.65 |
The correlation between IJT and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IJT vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
IJT
VNQ
IJT vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). 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.
| IJT | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.20 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.85 | 1.89 | +1.96 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.03 | 6.13 | +6.90 |
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Drawdowns
IJT vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJT drawdown since its inception was -57.61%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJT and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IJT | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.61% | -73.07% | +15.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.08% | -8.34% | -0.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.41% | -17.46% | -9.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.24% | -34.48% | +5.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.03% | -42.40% | +0.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.56% | -1.86% | +0.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.25% | -13.53% | +3.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.68% | 2.57% | +0.11% |
Volatility
IJT vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) have volatilities of 4.45% and 4.28%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IJT | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.45% | 4.28% | +0.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.00% | 10.70% | +2.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.84% | 13.81% | +4.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.50% | 18.90% | +2.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.01% | 20.76% | +2.25% |
IJT vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
IJT has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% 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. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
IJT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, less than VNQ's 3.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF | 0.69% | 0.91% | 1.06% | 1.02% | 1.08% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 0.92% | 0.92% | 0.86% | 1.03% | 1.14% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.51% | 3.92% | 3.85% | 3.95% | 3.91% | 2.56% | 3.93% | 3.39% | 4.74% | 4.23% | 4.82% | 3.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IJT and VNQ have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IJT has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to VNQ (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJT dropped -57.61% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
On 10-year performance, IJT leads with 11.03% vs 5.01% for VNQ. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VNQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IJT has performed better with a 11.03% return vs 5.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VNQ is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IJT.
VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.51%, compared with 0.69% for IJT.
IJT is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while VNQ is REIT. IJT tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IJT and 0.13% for VNQ.
IJT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.15), 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.
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