IJK vs VYM
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IJK or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJK led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.5% 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 | IJK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.54% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 252 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.05%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +13.61% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.99% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.46% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.6%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,330 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.5%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
IJK 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
IJK vs VYM Performance
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) 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 IJK returned +13.61% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, IJK is up 12.05% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, IJK compounded at +14.99% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.46% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IJK has the edge at +9.19% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% 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 -54.6% for IJK 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJK charges 0.16% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $4 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJK currently yields 0.54% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.3% of IJK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IJK also owns.
IJK and VYM share little of their money.
51 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in IJK and 557 in VYM, against full books of 252 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 478 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IJK (95.5% of the fund), and 188 for IJK that do not appear in VYM (82.1%).
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 IJK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 0.69% | 0.05% | 0.64% |
| FLSFlowserve Corp. | 0.54% | 0.04% | 0.50% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 0.52% | 0.06% | 0.46% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.49% | 0.07% | 0.42% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.46% | 0.03% | 0.43% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.41% | 0.03% | 0.38% |
| EVREvercore, Inc. Class A | 0.38% | 0.05% | 0.33% |
| DCIDonaldson Co Inc | 0.38% | 0.04% | 0.34% |
| SFStifel Finl Corp | 0.37% | 0.05% | 0.32% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 0.36% | 0.05% | 0.31% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IJK and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IJK or VYM?
IJK has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJK or VYM?
Over the past year IJK returned +13.61% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IJK annualized +9.19% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJK or VYM?
IJK has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IJK -54.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IJK and VYM?
IJK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IJK and VYM?
12.3% of IJK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's is in holdings IJK also owns. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in IJK and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJK or VYM?
IJK yields 0.54% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IJK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJK led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.5% 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.