IJS vs VTI
iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IJS or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJS is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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 | IJS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 487 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +15.68%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +18.79%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.65% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.94% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,653 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small 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).
IJS 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.
IJS vs VTI Performance
iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) 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 IJS returned +18.79% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, IJS is up 15.68% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, IJS compounded at +14.65% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.94% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs +7.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% 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 -61.3% for IJS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJS 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, IJS currently yields 1.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.9% of IJS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's money is in holdings IJS also owns.
Most of IJS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
450 positions in common, counted across the 458 positions we hold weights for in IJS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 487 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,031 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IJS (96.3% of the fund), and 6 for IJS that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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 IJS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAYCPaycom Software Inc . | 1.08% | 0.01% | 1.07% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
| KMXCarmax Inc. | 0.95% | 0.01% | 0.94% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.95% | 0.01% | 0.94% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.88% | 0.01% | 0.87% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.84% | 0.01% | 0.83% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.80% | 0.01% | 0.79% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.77% | 0.01% | 0.76% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.77% | 0.01% | 0.76% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 0.73% | 0.01% | 0.72% |
95.9% of IJS 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, IJS or VTI?
IJS 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, IJS or VTI?
Over the past year IJS returned +18.79% vs +16.08% for VTI, so IJS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IJS annualized +7.96% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJS or VTI?
IJS has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IJS -61.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IJS and VTI?
IJS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 IJS and VTI?
95.9% of IJS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's is in holdings IJS also owns. They hold 450 positions in common, counted across the 458 positions we hold weights for in IJS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJS or VTI?
IJS yields 1.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IJS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IJS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJS is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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.