IJR vs VYM
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IJR or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.8% 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 | IJR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $103.3B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,355 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +13.78%Best | +9.22% |
| 1Y Return | +16.41%Best | +12.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.57% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.88% | +11.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,307 | $17,149Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 1, 2026 (19.9 years).
IJR 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.
IJR vs VYM Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) 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 IJR returned +16.41% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, IJR is up 13.78% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +15.57% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.88% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +7.88% annualized vs +6.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% 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 -58.9% for IJR 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.14% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.7% of IJR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings IJR also owns.
IJR and VYM share little of their money.
124 positions in common, counted across the 597 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,355 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 416 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IJR (95.4% of the fund), and 463 for IJR that do not appear in VYM (74.5%).
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 IJR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.56% | 0.04% | 0.52% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.49% | 0.03% | 0.46% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.44% | 0.03% | 0.41% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.37% | 0.03% | 0.34% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.33% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
22.7% of IJR 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, IJR or VYM?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or VYM?
Over the past year IJR returned +16.41% vs +12.81% for VYM, so IJR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IJR annualized +7.88% vs +6.70% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or VYM?
IJR has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IJR -58.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IJR and VYM?
IJR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 IJR and VYM?
22.7% of IJR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's is in holdings IJR also owns. They hold 124 positions in common, counted across the 597 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or VYM?
IJR yields 1.14% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IJR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.8% 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.