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VTSAX vs. IJR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTSAX vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX returned 14.93%/yr vs 11.16%/yr for IJR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTSAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

VTSAX vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) 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, VTSAX achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 19.73% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX has outperformed IJR with an annualized return of 14.93%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively lower 11.16% annualized return.

VTSAX

1D
1.88%
1M
-0.74%
YTD
9.11%
6M
9.18%
1Y
25.67%
3Y*
20.72%
5Y*
12.09%
10Y*
14.93%

IJR

1D
0.97%
1M
5.53%
YTD
19.73%
6M
16.47%
1Y
37.01%
3Y*
14.75%
5Y*
6.25%
10Y*
11.16%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTSAX vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		9.11%17.12%23.23%26.51%-19.52%25.72%20.98%30.79%-5.18%21.16%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.73%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSAX and IJR is 0.78, 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

0.78

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

0.79

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

0.83

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

0.82

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000

0.88

The correlation between VTSAX and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTSAX vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTSAX
IJR

Technology

33.3%
15.5%

Financial Services

11.9%
16.8%

Communication Services

10.1%
3.6%

Consumer Cyclical

9.8%
13.4%

Industrials

9.5%
15.5%

Healthcare

9.1%
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
3.5%

Energy

3.8%
5.9%

Utilities

2.7%
2.0%

Real Estate

2.4%
7.6%

Basic Materials

2.0%
5.1%

Technology

VTSAX
33.3%
IJR
15.5%

Financial Services

VTSAX
11.9%
IJR
16.8%

Communication Services

VTSAX
10.1%
IJR
3.6%

Consumer Cyclical

VTSAX
9.8%
IJR
13.4%

Industrials

VTSAX
9.5%
IJR
15.5%

Healthcare

VTSAX
9.1%
IJR
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

VTSAX
4.7%
IJR
3.5%

Energy

VTSAX
3.8%
IJR
5.9%

Utilities

VTSAX
2.7%
IJR
2.0%

Real Estate

VTSAX
2.4%
IJR
7.6%

Basic Materials

VTSAX
2.0%
IJR
5.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with VTSAX:
VTSAX vs. VOOVTSAX vs. VTIAXVTSAX vs. SWTSXVTSAX vs. FSKAXVTSAX vs. VTIVTSAX vs. SPYVTSAX vs. VTWAX
Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR

Return for Risk

VTSAX vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTSAX
VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
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.

VTSAX vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) 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.

VTSAXIJRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.94
1.94

0.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.65
2.80

-0.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.33

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.77

3.97

-1.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.46

13.35

-0.90

VTSAX vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSAX 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

VTSAX vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.33%, roughly equal to the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSAX and IJR.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTSAXIJRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.33%

-58.15%

+2.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-8.68%

-0.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.36%

-28.02%

+8.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-28.02%

+2.66%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.97%

-44.36%

+9.39%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.56%

0.00%

-2.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.00%

-9.27%

+0.27%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

2.59%

-0.61%

Volatility

VTSAX vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) is 4.60%, while iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a volatility of 5.18%. This indicates that VTSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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

VTSAXIJRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.60%

5.18%

-0.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.93%

11.97%

-2.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.71%

17.76%

-5.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.43%

21.43%

-4.00%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.44%

22.92%

-4.48%

VTSAX vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSAX has a 0.04% 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

VTSAX vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

VTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than IJR's 1.11% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.11%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.02%1.11%1.26%1.42%1.65%1.20%1.41%1.76%2.03%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VTSAX and IJR have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IJR has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to VTSAX (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSAX dropped -55.33% vs IJR's -58.15%.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.94), 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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