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VBK vs. IJR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBK vs. IJR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap 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, VBK returned 10.90%/yr vs 10.86%/yr for IJR. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

VBK vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 12.94% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 21.59% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VBK having a 10.90% annualized return and IJR not far behind at 10.86%.

VBK

1D
-0.27%
1M
-4.86%
6M
9.06%
YTD
12.94%
1Y
23.19%
3Y*
13.33%
5Y*
4.14%
10Y*
10.90%
ALL TIME*
9.75%

IJR

1D
-0.03%
1M
-0.70%
6M
15.04%
YTD
21.59%
1Y
35.87%
3Y*
13.39%
5Y*
7.39%
10Y*
10.86%
ALL TIME*
10.14%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IJR

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
$499.82M$465.35M$539.29M

VBK

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF
$67.40M$71.27M$83.02M

VBK vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		12.94%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		21.59%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and IJR is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.83

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.89

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.89

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.91

The correlation between VBK and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBK vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VBK
IJR

Technology

27.1%
15.5%

Industrials

23.4%
15.6%

Healthcare

17.9%
12.4%

Consumer Cyclical

8.9%
13.2%

Financial Services

5.7%
17.0%

Real Estate

3.7%
7.6%

Communication Services

3.6%
3.2%

Energy

3.4%
4.9%

Basic Materials

3.1%
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

2.0%
4.2%

Utilities

1.1%
1.8%

Technology

VBK
27.1%
IJR
15.5%

Industrials

VBK
23.4%
IJR
15.6%

Healthcare

VBK
17.9%
IJR
12.4%

Consumer Cyclical

VBK
8.9%
IJR
13.2%

Financial Services

VBK
5.7%
IJR
17.0%

Real Estate

VBK
3.7%
IJR
7.6%

Communication Services

VBK
3.6%
IJR
3.2%

Energy

VBK
3.4%
IJR
4.9%

Basic Materials

VBK
3.1%
IJR
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

VBK
2.0%
IJR
4.2%

Utilities

VBK
1.1%
IJR
1.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOGVBK vs. VTWG
Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR

Return for Risk

VBK vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VBK vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) 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.

VBKIJRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.04
1.95

-0.91

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.55
2.87

-1.32

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.34

-0.16

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.86

3.89

-2.03

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.29

13.29

-7.00

VBK vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK 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.

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Drawdowns

VBK vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, roughly equal to the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and IJR.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBKIJRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.68%

-58.15%

-0.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.44%

-8.68%

-2.76%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.54%

-28.02%

+0.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.39%

-28.02%

-10.37%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.70%

-44.36%

+5.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.90%

-1.92%

-4.98%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.10%

-9.23%

-0.87%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.37%

2.54%

+0.83%

Volatility

VBK vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 3.40%. This indicates that VBK'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.

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Volatility by Period

VBKIJRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.16%

3.40%

+1.76%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.93%

11.62%

+4.31%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.39%

17.33%

+3.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.65%

21.25%

+2.40%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.91%

22.85%

+0.06%

VBK vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK 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

VBK vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than IJR's 1.13% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.13%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.45%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VBK and IJR have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBK has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to IJR (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs IJR's -58.15%.

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 10.90% vs 10.86% for IJR. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 10.90% return vs 10.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.13%, compared with 0.45% for VBK.

VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBK and 0.06% for IJR.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.04), 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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