IWF vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 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, IWF returned 18.50%/yr vs 11.21%/yr for IJR. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWF charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

IWF vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWF achieves a 5.29% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 19.86% return. Over the past 10 years, IWF has outperformed IJR with an annualized return of 18.50%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively lower 11.21% annualized return.

IWF

• 1D: 2.35%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 23.23%
• 3Y*: 22.85%
• 5Y*: 14.45%
• 10Y*: 18.50%

IJR

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 7.39%
• YTD: 19.86%
• 6M: 16.97%
• 1Y: 37.16%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.35%
• 10Y*: 11.21%

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

IWF vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	5.29%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	19.86%	5.89%	8.63%	16.06%	-16.20%	26.58%	11.28%	22.82%	-8.51%	13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between IWF and IJR is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000	0.78

Over the past year, the correlation between IWF and IJR has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWF vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWF	IJR
Technology	53.9%	15.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	12.5%
Communication Services	12.4%	3.2%
Healthcare	6.9%	11.0%
Industrials	5.4%	16.0%
Financial Services	5.0%	16.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	3.2%
Real Estate	0.4%	7.5%
Energy	0.3%	6.8%
Basic Materials	0.3%	4.7%
Utilities	0.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IWF vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 77
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 68
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

IWF vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) 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.

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.

	IWF	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.12	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	3.03	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.36	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	4.30	-2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.72	14.44	-9.73

IWF vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWF Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWF 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.

Drawdowns

IWF vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWF drawdown since its inception was -64.25%, which is greater than IJR's maximum drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWF and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWF	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.25%	-58.15%	-6.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.27%	-8.68%	-7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.36%	-28.02%	+4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-28.02%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-44.36%	+11.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	0.00%	-3.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.06%	-9.27%	-12.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.94%	2.58%	+2.36%

Volatility

IWF vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) has a higher volatility of 5.74% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 5.17%. This indicates that IWF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWF	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.74%	5.17%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.62%	11.93%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.09%	17.67%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.49%	21.44%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	22.93%	-1.91%

IWF vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWF 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

IWF vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

IWF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than IJR's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	1.42%	1.44%	2.05%	1.31%	1.41%	1.53%	1.11%	1.44%	1.58%	1.20%	1.22%	1.48%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.43%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWF and IJR in my portfolio?

IWF and IJR have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWF or IJR?

IWF has higher volatility (5.74%) compared to IJR (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWF dropped -64.25% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, IWF or IJR?

On 10-year performance, IWF leads with 18.50% vs 11.21% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWF or IJR?

Over the 10-year period, IWF has performed better with a 18.50% return vs 11.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWF or IJR?

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

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

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.43% for IWF.

What is the main difference between IWF and IJR?

IWF is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. IWF tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IWF and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.45), 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.