IJT vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IJT (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJT is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJT returned 10.80%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for VUG. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IJT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

IJT vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJT achieves a 16.04% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 10.86% return. Over the past 10 years, IJT has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.80%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

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%

VUG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.37%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

IJT vs. VUG - 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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	10.86%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between IJT and VUG is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.80

Over the past year, the correlation between IJT and VUG has dropped to 0.59 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IJT vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJT	VUG
Technology	20.1%	53.5%
Industrials	20.0%	3.6%
Healthcare	14.5%	4.6%
Financial Services	13.6%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	12.2%
Real Estate	6.3%	1.0%
Energy	4.9%	0.4%
Basic Materials	2.8%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	1.5%
Communication Services	2.7%	17.3%
Utilities	1.9%	0.9%

Return for Risk

IJT vs. VUG — 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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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. VUG - 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 Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.93	-0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.60	-0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.34	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	1.90	+1.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	6.65	+4.29
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJT Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJT and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.93	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.71	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.86	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.62	-0.23

Drawdowns

IJT vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJT drawdown since its inception was -57.61%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJT and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJT	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.61%	-50.68%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.08%	-16.53%	+7.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.41%	-22.85%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-35.61%	+6.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.03%	-35.61%	-6.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-0.28%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-7.09%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	4.71%	-2.10%

Volatility

IJT vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) has a higher volatility of 4.61% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.52%. This indicates that IJT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJT	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	3.52%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.49%	12.05%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.55%	15.80%	+1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.50%	22.22%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.03%	21.44%	+1.59%

IJT vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJT has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% 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. VUG - Dividend Comparison

IJT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJT and VUG in my portfolio?

IJT and VUG have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJT or VUG?

IJT has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to VUG (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJT dropped -57.61% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, IJT or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.40% vs 10.80% for IJT. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJT or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.40% return vs 10.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJT or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IJT.

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

IJT has the higher dividend yield at 0.76%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between IJT and VUG?

IJT is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. IJT tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IJT and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 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.