XJR vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XJR (iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Sustainability Screened Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XJR returned 5.38%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VOO. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XJR charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

XJR vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJR achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.91% return.

XJR

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 28.36%
• 3Y*: 14.13%
• 5Y*: 5.38%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XJR vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	14.91%	4.73%	9.59%	16.39%	-17.30%	24.96%	35.61%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	16.10%

Correlation

The correlation between XJR and VOO is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2020	0.76

The correlation between XJR and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

XJR vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XJR	VOO
Financial Services	18.2%	11.6%
Technology	16.8%	35.7%
Industrials	15.5%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	10.2%
Healthcare	10.7%	8.5%
Real Estate	7.6%	1.9%
Energy	4.7%	3.5%
Basic Materials	4.5%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	4.9%
Communication Services	2.5%	11.3%
Utilities	2.0%	2.4%

Return for Risk

XJR vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJR

XJR Risk / Return Rank: 51
XJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
XJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XJR Omega Ratio Rank: 43
XJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
XJR Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

XJR vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	XJR	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.39	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	3.25	-0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.43	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.16	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.70	14.73	-5.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XJR vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJR and VOO, 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

	XJR	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.39	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.83	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.89	-0.22

Drawdowns

XJR vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJR drawdown since its inception was -27.14%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJR and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJR	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.14%	-33.99%	+6.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-8.90%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.14%	-18.69%	-8.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	-24.52%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-0.70%	-0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.48%	-3.69%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	1.91%	+1.02%

Volatility

XJR vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) has a higher volatility of 4.77% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.84%. This indicates that XJR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XJR	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.77%	2.84%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.22%	8.90%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.85%	11.80%	+6.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.43%	16.81%	+4.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.73%	18.01%	+3.72%

XJR vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJR has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% 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

XJR vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

XJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than VOO's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
XJR iShares ESG Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF	0.99%	1.14%	1.96%	0.92%	1.29%	2.00%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJR and VOO in my portfolio?

XJR and VOO have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJR or VOO?

XJR has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to VOO (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJR dropped -27.14% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, XJR or VOO?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.90% vs 5.38% for XJR. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJR or VOO?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.90% return vs 5.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJR or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for XJR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJR or VOO?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.99% for XJR.

What is the main difference between XJR and VOO?

XJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. XJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Sustainability Screened Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for XJR and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.60), 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.