IJS vs VYM
iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IJS or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJS led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. IJS is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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 | IJS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 487 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.68%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +18.79%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.65% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.94% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,653 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small 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 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
IJS 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.
IJS vs VYM Performance
iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) 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 IJS returned +18.79% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, IJS is up 15.68% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, IJS compounded at +14.65% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.94% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IJS has the edge at +6.97% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% 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 -61.3% for IJS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJS charges 0.18% per year while 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, IJS currently yields 1.32% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.7% of IJS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IJS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
116 positions in common, counted across the 458 positions we hold weights for in IJS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 487 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 423 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IJS (95.5% of the fund), and 338 for IJS that do not appear in VYM (64.6%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 1.07% | 0.04% | 1.03% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.95% | 0.03% | 0.92% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.88% | 0.03% | 0.85% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.84% | 0.03% | 0.81% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.80% | 0.03% | 0.77% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.77% | 0.03% | 0.74% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.77% | 0.03% | 0.74% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.70% | 0.02% | 0.68% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.69% | 0.02% | 0.67% |
| POOLPool Corp. | 0.64% | 0.02% | 0.62% |
33.7% of IJS 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, IJS or VYM?
IJS 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, IJS or VYM?
Over the past year IJS returned +18.79% vs +15.34% for VYM, so IJS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IJS annualized +6.97% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJS or VYM?
IJS has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IJS -61.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IJS and VYM?
IJS and VYM 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 VYM?
33.7% of IJS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's is in holdings IJS also owns. They hold 116 positions in common, counted across the 458 positions we hold weights for in IJS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJS or VYM?
IJS yields 1.32% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IJS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJS led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. IJS is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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.