IJR vs IWM
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs iShares Russell 2000 ETF
Which is better, IJR or IWM?
Nearly the same fund. IJR costs less.
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, IWM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.8%.
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 | IJR | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.19% |
| AUM | $103.3B | $77.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 0.90% |
| Holdings | 1,355 | 1,972 |
| YTD Return | +15.07%Best | +13.93% |
| 1Y Return | +17.37%Best | +16.54% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.61% | +19.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.20% | +6.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9%Best | -59.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,509 | $13,598Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.8% | 3.2%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | May 22, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2000 to Oct 2, 2026 (26.4 years).
IJR vs IWM 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 26.4 years both funds cover.
IJR vs IWM Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IJR returned +17.37% while IWM returned +16.54%. Year to date, IJR is up 15.07% versus a gain of 13.93% for IWM.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +16.61% per year against +19.38% for IWM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.20% and +6.34% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +8.91% annualized vs +7.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 19.4% for IJR. 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 -58.9% for IJR and -59.9% for IWM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while IWM charges 0.19%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $19 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.14% against 0.90% for IWM.
Holdings Overlap
80.2% of IJR's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 46.4% of IWM's money is in holdings IJR also owns.
Most of IJR is already inside IWM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
529 positions in common, counted across the 597 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 1,949 in IWM, against full books of 1,355 and 1,972.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,144 positions for IWM that do not appear in our book for IJR (49.2% of the fund), and 62 for IJR that do not appear in IWM (17.8%).
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 IJR | Weight in IWM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 1.91% | 0.32% | 1.59% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.57% | 0.31% | 0.26% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.56% | 0.31% | 0.25% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 0.52% | 0.30% | 0.22% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.51% | 0.30% | 0.21% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.49% | 0.30% | 0.19% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 0.47% | 0.27% | 0.20% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 0.43% | 0.25% | 0.18% |
| SNEXStonex Group Inc | 0.42% | 0.25% | 0.17% |
| TGTXTg Therapeutics Inc Common Stock | 0.40% | 0.26% | 0.14% |
80.2% of IJR is already inside IWM.
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, IJR or IWM?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while IWM charges 0.19%. IJR is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or IWM?
Over the past year IJR returned +17.37% vs +16.54% for IWM, so IJR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IJR annualized +8.91% vs +7.42% for IWM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or IWM?
IWM has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 19.4% for IJR. Worst drawdown: IJR -58.9% vs IWM -59.9%.
Should I hold both IJR and IWM?
IJR and IWM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 IJR and IWM?
80.2% of IJR's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 46.4% of IWM's is in holdings IJR also owns. They hold 529 positions in common, counted across the 597 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 1,949 in IWM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or IWM?
IJR yields 1.14% while IWM yields 0.90%, so IJR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWM better than IJR?
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, IWM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.