IJJ vs VTI
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IJJ or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IJJ is less concentrated, with 10.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IJJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 309 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.51% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.56% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.08% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.81% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,253 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 18, 2026 (25.3 years).
IJJ vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 25.3 years both funds cover.
IJJ vs VTI Performance
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IJJ returned +9.56% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, IJJ is up 7.51% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, IJJ compounded at +13.08% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.81% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs +7.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 15.3% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -59.6% for IJJ and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJJ charges 0.18% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJJ currently yields 1.60% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.3% of IJJ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's money is in holdings IJJ also owns.
Most of IJJ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
289 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in IJJ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 309 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 899 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IJJ (94.2% of the fund), and 3 for IJJ that do not appear in VTI (0.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IJJ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 1.38% | 0.03% | 1.35% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 1.17% | 0.03% | 1.14% |
| SNXSynnex Technology International Co | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| PRPermian Resource | 1.10% | 0.02% | 1.08% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.07% | 0.02% | 1.05% |
| NLYAnnaly Capital Management Inc | 0.97% | 0.02% | 0.95% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.96% | 0.02% | 0.94% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.95% | 0.02% | 0.93% |
| WCCWesco International Inc | 0.95% | 0.02% | 0.93% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.93% | 0.02% | 0.91% |
97.3% of IJJ is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IJJ or VTI?
IJJ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJJ or VTI?
Over the past year IJJ returned +9.56% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IJJ annualized +7.93% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJJ or VTI?
IJJ has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IJJ -59.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IJJ and VTI?
IJJ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IJJ and VTI?
97.3% of IJJ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's is in holdings IJJ also owns. They hold 289 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in IJJ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJJ or VTI?
IJJ yields 1.60% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IJJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IJJ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IJJ is less concentrated, with 10.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.