PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VPL vs. IJR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPL vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific 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, VPL returned 10.76%/yr vs 11.30%/yr for IJR. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

VPL vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 25.73% return, which is significantly higher than IJR's 19.34% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has underperformed IJR with an annualized return of 10.76%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.30% annualized return.

VPL

1D
-5.86%
1M
1.56%
YTD
25.73%
6M
25.83%
1Y
47.86%
3Y*
22.03%
5Y*
9.86%
10Y*
10.76%

IJR

1D
-0.34%
1M
4.22%
YTD
19.34%
6M
16.86%
1Y
34.47%
3Y*
16.15%
5Y*
6.29%
10Y*
11.30%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VPL vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		25.73%32.66%1.68%15.58%-15.20%1.10%16.65%18.16%-14.40%28.85%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.34%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and IJR is 0.61, 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

0.61

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

0.64

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

0.67

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.66

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005

0.68

The correlation between VPL and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPL vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VPL
IJR

Technology

22.6%
15.9%

Industrials

20.5%
16.0%

Financial Services

19.3%
16.0%

Consumer Cyclical

9.6%
12.5%

Basic Materials

7.3%
4.7%

Healthcare

5.0%
11.0%

Communication Services

4.8%
3.2%

Real Estate

4.3%
7.5%

Consumer Defensive

3.5%
3.2%

Energy

1.6%
6.8%

Utilities

1.6%
1.9%

Technology

VPL
22.6%
IJR
15.9%

Industrials

VPL
20.5%
IJR
16.0%

Financial Services

VPL
19.3%
IJR
16.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VPL
9.6%
IJR
12.5%

Basic Materials

VPL
7.3%
IJR
4.7%

Healthcare

VPL
5.0%
IJR
11.0%

Communication Services

VPL
4.8%
IJR
3.2%

Real Estate

VPL
4.3%
IJR
7.5%

Consumer Defensive

VPL
3.5%
IJR
3.2%

Energy

VPL
1.6%
IJR
6.8%

Utilities

VPL
1.6%
IJR
1.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with VPL:
VPL vs. AAXJVPL vs. VEAVPL vs. VWOVPL vs. VXUSVPL vs. IPACVPL vs. VGKVPL vs. VEU
Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR

Return for Risk

VPL vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VPL
VPL Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
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.

VPL vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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.

VPLIJRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.16
1.96

+0.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.76
2.84

-0.08

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.34

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.61

3.99

-0.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.71

13.39

+0.32

VPL vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VPL vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, roughly equal to the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and IJR.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VPLIJRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.49%

-58.15%

+2.66%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.33%

-8.68%

-4.65%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.35%

-28.02%

+11.67%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-31.09%

-28.02%

-3.07%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.90%

-44.36%

+10.46%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.86%

-0.43%

-5.43%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.61%

-9.26%

-2.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.50%

2.58%

+0.92%

Volatility

VPL vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 11.91% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.96%. This indicates that VPL'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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VPLIJRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

11.91%

4.96%

+6.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.95%

12.06%

+7.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.25%

17.73%

+4.52%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.93%

21.40%

-3.47%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.52%

22.90%

-5.38%

VPL vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% 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

VPL vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than IJR's 1.15% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		2.66%4.01%3.15%3.12%2.75%3.19%1.81%2.84%3.06%2.57%2.65%2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

VPL and IJR have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VPL has higher volatility (11.91%) compared to IJR (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs IJR's -58.15%.

On 10-year performance, IJR leads with 11.30% vs 10.76% for VPL. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJR has performed better with a 11.30% return vs 10.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VPL.

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 1.15% for IJR.

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IJR is Small Cap Blend Equities. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.06% for IJR.

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.96), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VPL and IJR

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer