SFLO vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SFLO (Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SFLO tracks the Victory US Small Cap Free Cash Flow Index while IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SFLO returned 32.02% vs 31.54% for IJR. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SFLO charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

SFLO vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) 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, SFLO achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 15.38% return.

SFLO

• 1D: -1.52%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 13.58%
• 6M: 12.24%
• 1Y: 32.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IJR

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 15.38%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 31.54%
• 3Y*: 14.39%
• 5Y*: 5.64%
• 10Y*: 10.66%

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

SFLO vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SFLO Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF	13.58%	11.88%	6.54%	-0.16%
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	15.38%	5.89%	8.63%	0.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SFLO and IJR is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2023	0.86

The correlation between SFLO and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

SFLO vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SFLO	IJR
Technology	25.6%	15.5%
Healthcare	18.0%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	13.4%
Energy	14.8%	5.9%
Industrials	10.5%	15.5%
Communication Services	7.3%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	3.5%
Basic Materials	1.6%	5.1%
Financial Services	0.3%	16.8%
Utilities	0.1%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.1%	7.6%

Return for Risk

SFLO vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFLO

SFLO Risk / Return Rank: 63
SFLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SFLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SFLO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SFLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SFLO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

IJR

IJR Risk / Return Rank: 58
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 49
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

SFLO vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) 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.

	SFLO	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.81	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	2.64	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.31	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	3.65	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.73	12.14	+1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFLO vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFLO 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

	SFLO	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.81	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.43	+0.21

Drawdowns

SFLO vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFLO drawdown since its inception was -26.63%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFLO and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFLO	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.63%	-58.15%	+31.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-8.68%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-0.91%	-1.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.33%	-9.28%	+4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	2.60%	-0.26%

Volatility

SFLO vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) has a higher volatility of 5.26% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.45%. This indicates that SFLO'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

	SFLO	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	4.45%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.45%	11.65%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	17.54%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.55%	21.41%	-0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.55%	22.91%	-2.36%

SFLO vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFLO has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFLO vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

SFLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than IJR's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF	1.15%	1.44%	2.05%	1.31%	1.41%	1.53%	1.11%	1.44%	1.58%	1.20%	1.22%	1.48%
SFLO Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF	0.85%	1.04%	1.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFLO and IJR in my portfolio?

SFLO and IJR have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFLO or IJR?

SFLO has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to IJR (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFLO dropped -26.63% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, SFLO or IJR?

On 1-year performance, SFLO leads with 32.02% vs 31.54% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SFLO or IJR?

Over the 1-year period, SFLO has performed better with a 32.02% return vs 31.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SFLO or IJR?

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for SFLO.

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

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.85% for SFLO.

What is the main difference between SFLO and IJR?

SFLO tracks Victory US Small Cap Free Cash Flow Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for SFLO and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.81), 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.