IJT vs VTI
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IJT or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJT is less concentrated, with 9.9% 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 | IJT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 390 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.86%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +14.41% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.46% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.72% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,206 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | 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).
IJT 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.
IJT vs VTI Performance
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (IJT) 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 IJT returned +14.41% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, IJT is up 14.86% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, IJT compounded at +14.46% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.72% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, IJT has the edge at +9.11% annualized vs +8.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% 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 -58.0% for IJT 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJT 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, IJT currently yields 0.71% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of IJT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.3% of VTI's money is in holdings IJT also owns.
Most of IJT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
342 positions in common, counted across the 351 positions we hold weights for in IJT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 390 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,019 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IJT (96.2% of the fund), and 6 for IJT that do not appear in VTI (1.9%).
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 IJT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORTCorcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 1.26% | 0.01% | 1.25% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 1.17% | 0.01% | 1.16% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 1.05% | 0.01% | 1.04% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 1.03% | 0.01% | 1.02% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 0.98% | 0.01% | 0.97% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 0.92% | 0.01% | 0.91% |
| ETSYEtsy Inc | 0.90% | 0.01% | 0.89% |
| FORMFormfactor, Inc. | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
| TGTXTg Therapeutics Inc Common Stock | 0.86% | 0.01% | 0.85% |
| SNEXStonex Group Inc | 0.84% | 0.01% | 0.83% |
97.4% of IJT 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, IJT or VTI?
IJT 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, IJT or VTI?
Over the past year IJT returned +14.41% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IJT annualized +9.11% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJT or VTI?
IJT has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IJT -58.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IJT and VTI?
IJT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 IJT and VTI?
97.4% of IJT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.3% of VTI's is in holdings IJT also owns. They hold 342 positions in common, counted across the 351 positions we hold weights for in IJT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJT or VTI?
IJT yields 0.71% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IJT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJT is less concentrated, with 9.9% 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.