SPSM vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPSM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, from State Street and iShares respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPSM returned 10.87%/yr vs 10.76%/yr for IJR. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPSM charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

SPSM vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) 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 SPSM having a 16.35% return and IJR slightly higher at 16.42%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPSM having a 10.87% annualized return and IJR not far behind at 10.76%.

SPSM

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 16.35%
• 6M: 16.90%
• 1Y: 34.92%
• 3Y*: 14.77%
• 5Y*: 5.95%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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)

SPSM vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	16.35%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	15.44%
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 SPSM and IJR is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2013	0.97

The correlation between SPSM and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPSM vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPSM	IJR
Financial Services	16.9%	16.8%
Industrials	15.5%	15.5%
Technology	15.5%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	13.4%
Healthcare	11.0%	11.1%
Real Estate	7.7%	7.6%
Energy	5.9%	5.9%
Basic Materials	5.1%	5.1%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.0%	2.0%

Return for Risk

SPSM vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

SPSM vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) 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.

	SPSM	IJR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.00	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.88	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	3.96	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.24	13.21	+0.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSM vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSM Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSM 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

	SPSM	IJR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	2.00	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.28	0.00
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	0.45	0.44	+0.02

Drawdowns

SPSM vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSM drawdown since its inception was -42.89%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSM and IJR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSM	IJR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.89%	-58.15%	+15.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.72%	-8.68%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.94%	-28.02%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.94%	-28.02%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.89%	-44.36%	+1.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.02%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-9.28%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	2.60%	0.00%

Volatility

SPSM vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) have volatilities of 4.45% 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

	SPSM	IJR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	4.46%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.61%	11.63%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.45%	17.51%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.43%	21.40%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.99%	22.91%	+0.08%

SPSM vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSM has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPSM vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

SPSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more 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%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.41%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSM and IJR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, SPSM 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, SPSM or IJR?

IJR has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to SPSM (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSM dropped -42.89% vs IJR's -58.15%.

Which ETF is better, SPSM or IJR?

On 10-year performance, SPSM leads with 10.87% vs 10.76% for IJR. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPSM or IJR?

Over the 10-year period, SPSM has performed better with a 10.87% return vs 10.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPSM or IJR?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IJR.

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

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 1.14% for IJR.

What is the main difference between SPSM and IJR?

Both ETFs track S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPSM and 0.06% for IJR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 2.00), 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.