IJJ vs VYM
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IJJ or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJJ led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IJJ is less concentrated, with 10.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 309 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.84% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.06% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.56% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.07% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,741 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.6%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
IJJ vs VYM 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
IJJ vs VYM Performance
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IJJ returned +10.06% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, IJJ is up 6.84% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, IJJ compounded at +13.56% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.07% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IJJ has the edge at +7.14% annualized vs +6.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJJ currently yields 1.60% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.3% of IJJ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.0% of VYM's money is in holdings IJJ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
131 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in IJJ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 309 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 397 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IJJ (93.1% of the fund), and 160 for IJJ that do not appear in VYM (50.5%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 1.17% | 0.08% | 1.09% |
| PRPermian Resource | 1.10% | 0.07% | 1.03% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.07% | 0.07% | 1.00% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.95% | 0.06% | 0.89% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.93% | 0.06% | 0.87% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.86% | 0.06% | 0.80% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.79% | 0.06% | 0.73% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 0.76% | 0.05% | 0.71% |
| ALLYAlly Financial Inc | 0.68% | 0.05% | 0.63% |
| FNFFidelity Nationa | 0.67% | 0.05% | 0.62% |
47.3% of IJJ is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
IJJ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJJ or VYM?
Over the past year IJJ returned +10.06% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IJJ annualized +7.14% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJJ or VYM?
IJJ has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IJJ -59.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IJJ and VYM?
IJJ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 VYM?
47.3% of IJJ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.0% of VYM's is in holdings IJJ also owns. They hold 131 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in IJJ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJJ or VYM?
IJJ yields 1.60% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IJJ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJJ led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IJJ is less concentrated, with 10.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.