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VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

VISM.AX (Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF) and IJR.AX (iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - VISM.AX tracks the Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index Index while IJR.AX tracks the iShares S&P Small-Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VISM.AX returned 8.19%/yr vs 9.05%/yr for IJR.AX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) and iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VISM.AX achieves a 8.36% return, which is significantly lower than IJR.AX's 15.84% return.

VISM.AX

1D
-0.22%
1M
-0.63%
6M
5.57%
YTD
8.36%
1Y
16.46%
3Y*
14.38%
5Y*
8.19%
10Y*
—

IJR.AX

1D
0.65%
1M
1.95%
6M
11.15%
YTD
15.84%
1Y
22.13%
3Y*
13.31%
5Y*
9.05%
10Y*
19.56%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VISM.AX
Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF		8.36%12.20%16.67%14.76%-13.42%21.81%5.65%29.06%-9.49%
IJR.AX
iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF		15.84%-1.20%16.88%16.63%-9.47%34.92%1.20%24.13%-11.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VISM.AX and IJR.AX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.83

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.88

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2018

0.85

The correlation between VISM.AX and IJR.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF

iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VISM.AX
VISM.AX Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
VISM.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
IJR.AX
IJR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
IJR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4747
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) and iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX). 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.

VISM.AXIJR.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.35
1.43

-0.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.98
2.02

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.26

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.65

2.06

-0.40

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.50

6.31

-0.81

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VISM.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the IJR.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VISM.AX and IJR.AX, 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

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VISM.AX drawdown since its inception was -31.98%, smaller than the maximum IJR.AX drawdown of -35.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISM.AX and IJR.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VISM.AXIJR.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-31.98%

-35.55%

+3.57%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-11.45%

+0.81%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.91%

-24.63%

+8.72%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.47%

-24.63%

+0.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.84%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.83%

-2.46%

-0.37%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.64%

-8.01%

+1.37%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.24%

3.78%

-0.54%

Volatility

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) is 2.55%, while iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR.AX) has a volatility of 3.51%. This indicates that VISM.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJR.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VISM.AXIJR.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.55%

3.51%

-0.96%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.58%

12.38%

-1.80%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.11%

16.64%

-3.53%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.41%

18.46%

-4.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.80%

36.92%

-21.12%

Dividends

VISM.AX vs. IJR.AX - Dividend Comparison

VISM.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than IJR.AX's 0.77% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
IJR.AX
iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF		0.77%0.87%1.26%1.29%1.86%1.66%1.52%2.18%1.53%0.10%0.70%
VISM.AX
Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF		6.88%3.82%1.43%2.81%4.41%5.03%3.59%3.95%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VISM.AX and IJR.AX 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.

VISM.AX tracks Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index Index, while IJR.AX tracks iShares S&P Small-Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.

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