Relative Intelligence · US Small-Cap Equity
How iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IJR alone. It places IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where IJR stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: IJR's full trading record, from May 2000 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- What you're buyingIJR and VB (Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) have tracked each other (0.97). The larger fund is VB. Consistency ↓
- Right nowOver the past 3 months, IJR fell 4.8%, behind 92% of the ETFs with at least $100 million in assets. Even so, after a 28.0% loss from November 2024 to April 2025, IJR has bounced 27.6% off the low. Market rank ↓
- Fund or market?IJR fell 4.8% over the past 3 months, less than the 1.03 beta versus the S&P 500 would have implied (4.0%).
- Long termIJR turned $10,000 into $26,400 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashIJR has tended to fall harder than the S&P 500 in crashes, about 1.2 times the index's decline. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, IJR has a correlation of 0.79 over 5 years, more closely than 62% of ETFs with at least $100 million in assets. Next to an index fund it is some diversification, but not a hedge. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF), SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and VO (Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF) earned more than IJR with less volatility over the past 5 years. VTI returned 11.5% a year at 17.5% volatility, against 5.6% a year at 21.1%.
- Same exposure, lower fee
- SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against IJR's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.
- Nearby categories and themes
- VTV (Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF, US large-cap value) and RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, US large-cap equity) earned more than IJR with less volatility over the past 5 years. VTV returned 12.1% a year at 13.7% volatility, against 5.6% a year at 21.1%.
How much would $10,000 in IJR have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IJR over the past 22 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IJR over the same span and IJR's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
Note: The chart covers the past 22 years rather than IJR's full 26 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.
- $10,000 invested in IJR at the end of September 2004 would have grown to $75,619 by September 2026, less than the $102,174 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of IJR, and VTI finished highest, at $103,071.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2004 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 646 of the 1,487 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IJR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- VTI$103,071+931% total · +11.2% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$102,174+922% total · +11.1% a year
- SLYG$86,474+765% total · +10.3% a year
- VO$86,371+764% total · +10.3% a year
- IJH$82,519+725% total · +10.1% a year
- VTV$76,410+664% total · +9.7% a year
- IJR$75,619+656% total · +9.6% a year
- VB$75,500+655% total · +9.6% a year
- SLYV$68,652+587% total · +9.2% a year
- IWM$65,295+553% total · +8.9% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,874 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IJR; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- VTI$18,064+80.6% total · +12.6% a year
- VTV$17,967+79.7% total · +12.4% a year
- AVUV$16,960+69.6% total · +11.1% a year
- SMLF$16,583+65.8% total · +10.6% a year
- DFAT$16,146+61.5% total · +10.1% a year
- XSMO$16,008+60.1% total · +9.9% a year
- VO$14,310+43.1% total · +7.4% a year
- VB$14,020+40.2% total · +7.0% a year
- IJR$13,479+34.8% total · +6.2% a year
IJR at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
- IJR's deepest decline since it began trading in 2000 was 58.1%, from July 2007 to March 2009. It took 23 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 25 full calendar years, IJR's best was 2013, when it returned 41.4%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 31.5%. It lost money in six of those years.
- IJR is 8.2% below its all-time high.
The fund
- Issuer
- IShares
- Began trading
- May 2000
- Expense ratio
- 0.06%per year
- Assets
- $102B
- Category
- Broad Market
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +16.7%total return
- Past 3 years
- +60.8%+17.2% a year
- Past 5 years
- +31.5%+5.6% a year
- Past 10 years
- +164%+10.2% a year
- Best calendar year
- +41.4%2013
- Worst calendar year
- −31.5%2008
- Losing years
- 6 of 25full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 21.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.37return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −58.1%Jul 2007 to Mar 2009
- From its all-time high
- −8.2%below the peak
IJR against the whole market
Where IJR ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does IJR rank among all ETFs?
This section ranks IJR on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how IJR stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- IJR is among the more volatile ETFs: its price swings rank in the bottom 23% of the 1,560 ETFs with at least $100 million in assets, where the top is the calmest.
Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | IJR | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +16.7% | 650 of 2,485 | top 26% |
| 3-year return | +60.8% | 973 of 1,949 | top 50% |
| 5-year return | +31.5% | 984 of 1,560 | bottom 38% |
| 10-year return | +164% | 411 of 958 | top 43% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 21.1% | 1,197 of 1,560 | bottom 24% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.37 | 1,140 of 1,560 | bottom 28% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −44.4% | 688 of 951 | bottom 29% |
What has beaten IJR on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). IJR sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IJR with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 34 stocks and 417 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than IJR over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 12% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half IJR's swings, LVHI has the best return for its risk: 17.0% a year at 11.1% volatility, 48% less than IJR's 21.1%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.48 against 0.37 for IJR. DXJ earned the most, 26.6% a year, while still swinging less than IJR (19.1% against 21.1%).
- Among IJR's popular alternatives, SPY, VTI and VO are in the region. SPY earned 12.7% a year against 5.6% a year for IJR, at 17.1% volatility, 19% less than IJR's 21.1%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to IJR; faint dots are 89 more of the 451 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than IJR?
Investments that beat IJR over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among IJR's popular alternatives, VTI, SPY and VO earned more than IJR with less volatility over the past 5 years. VTI returned 11.5% a year at 17.5% volatility, against 5.6% a year at 21.1%.
- SCHA tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against IJR's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, VTV (US large-cap value) and RSP (US large-cap equity) earned more than IJR with less volatility over the past 5 years. VTV returned 12.1% a year at 13.7% volatility, against 5.6% a year at 21.1%.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat IJR over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks IJR's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than IJR follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than IJR's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× IJR's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than IJR's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with IJR?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| IJRiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF · this page | +5.6% | 21.1% | 0.37 | −44.4% | +164% | 1.00 | 0.06% | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.79 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IJR. 10 of 24 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +302% | 0.83 | 0.03% | |
| SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.79 | 0.09% | |
DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +9.6% | 21.0% | 0.54 | −26.1% | — | 0.98 | 0.33% | |
 VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +6.8% | 17.6% | 0.47 | −39.4% | +198% | 0.91 | 0.03% | |
 VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF · US Small-Cap Equity | Same exposure, lower expense ratio | +6.2% | 20.6% | 0.40 | −42.0% | +179% | 0.97 | 0.03% | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in US Small-Cap Equity and the categories next to it (US Mid-Cap Equity, US Total Market, International Equity, US Large-Cap Equity), plus IJR's specific themes. 127 of 141 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.87 | 0.03% | |
 RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +8.2% | 16.1% | 0.57 | −39.0% | +211% | 0.91 | 0.20% | |
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +9.1% | 18.4% | 0.57 | −33.3% | +276% | 0.81 | 0.46% | |
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.60 | 0.40% | |
 QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.64 | 0.18% | |
VSSVanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF · International Equity | Similar return, lower volatility | +5.0% | 16.7% | 0.38 | −43.5% | +105% | 0.74 | 0.06% | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 824 of 3,470 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.31 | — | |
 KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.28 | — | |
 VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +258% | 0.84 | 0.04% | |
 SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.79 | 0.06% | |
 RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.26 | — | |
 WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +9.3% | 19.2% | 0.56 | −30.1% | +344% | 0.29 | — | |
NOBLProShares - S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF · US Dividend Equity | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +6.5% | 14.5% | 0.51 | −35.4% | +172% | 0.82 | 0.35% | |
 VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | 0.54 | — | |
What these numbers mean for IJR
- Annual return
- IJR returned 5.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $13,200. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- IJR's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.1%, 1.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IJR's return lands within 21.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- IJR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.37, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IJR earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- IJR's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 44.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 44.4% fall takes a 79.7% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, IJR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.79 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IJR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IJR holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 451 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IJR with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with IJR | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.31 | — |
| 2 | KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.28 | — |
| 3 | VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +258% | 0.84 | 0.04% |
| 4 | SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.79 | 0.06% |
| 5 | RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.26 | — |
| 6 | WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +9.3% | 19.2% | 0.56 | −30.1% | +344% | 0.29 | — |
| 7 |  XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity | Whole market | +8.4% | 15.3% | 0.60 | −28.4% | +202% | 0.56 | 0.08% |
| 8 | HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 13.0% | 1.00 | −37.0% | +172% | 0.67 | 0.08% |
| 9 | USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity | Whole market | +7.6% | 12.3% | 0.66 | −33.1% | +176% | 0.70 | 0.15% |
| 10 | VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.87 | 0.03% |
| 11 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.67 | 0.40% |
| 12 |  BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.48 | — |
| 13 | RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +8.2% | 16.1% | 0.57 | −39.0% | +211% | 0.91 | 0.20% |
| 14 | IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.7% | 13.8% | 0.94 | −35.8% | +221% | 0.84 | 0.20% |
| 15 | PTLCPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +9.5% | 11.8% | 0.83 | −26.6% | +188% | 0.58 | 0.60% |
| 16 | EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +11.6% | 15.0% | 0.81 | −34.3% | +291% | 0.86 | 0.30% |
| 17 | AOAiShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +8.6% | 13.1% | 0.69 | −28.4% | +165% | 0.81 | 0.19% |
| 18 | RECSColumbia Research Enhanced Core ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.4% | 16.4% | 0.85 | −34.3% | +237% | 0.80 | 0.15% |
| 19 | MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +9.1% | 18.4% | 0.57 | −33.3% | +276% | 0.81 | 0.46% |
| 20 | QDFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +11.5% | 15.6% | 0.78 | −36.7% | +215% | 0.86 | 0.40% |
| 21 | EPSWisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Fund · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.5% | 16.1% | 0.82 | −35.8% | +296% | 0.82 | 0.08% |
| 22 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.60 | 0.40% |
| 23 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.39 | 0.48% |
| 24 | PTNQPacer Trendpilot 100 ETF · Technology | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.1% | 0.73 | −28.1% | +305% | 0.48 | 0.65% |
| 25 | EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.5% | 0.94 | −34.2% | +387% | 0.84 | 0.19% |
| 26 | ROUSHartford Multifactor US Equity ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.3% | 14.4% | 0.88 | −35.5% | +238% | 0.87 | 0.19% |
| 27 | LGLVState Street SPDR US Large Cap Low Volatility Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +7.6% | 13.0% | 0.63 | −36.6% | +199% | 0.76 | 0.12% |
| 28 | OUSAALPS Funds O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +9.4% | 13.4% | 0.74 | −33.1% | +186% | 0.75 | 0.48% |
| 29 |  VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +10.3% | 16.2% | 0.69 | −34.2% | +223% | 0.82 | 0.06% |
| 30 |  DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.79 | 0.26% |
| 31 |  QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +11.4% | 17.3% | 0.71 | −34.1% | +293% | 0.79 | 0.15% |
| 32 | SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +12.0% | 16.7% | 0.76 | −31.6% | +300% | 0.79 | 0.20% |
| 33 | ESGUiShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF · US ESG Equity | Whole market | +11.5% | 17.4% | 0.72 | −33.9% | — | 0.80 | 0.15% |
| 34 |  RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.69 | — |
| 35 | EVRGEvergy, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +9.5% | 18.9% | 0.57 | −38.8% | +109% | 0.51 | — |
| 36 | JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 15.7% | 0.89 | −32.9% | — | 0.81 | 0.12% |
| 37 | DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income | Whole market | +11.1% | 11.9% | 0.95 | −30.0% | — | 0.77 | 0.56% |
| 38 |  GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.09 | 0.40% |
| 39 |  SCHFSchwab International Equity ETF · Developed International Equity | Same or nearby category | +9.5% | 16.8% | 0.63 | −34.9% | +155% | 0.73 | 0.03% |
| 40 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.67 | 0.27% |
| 41 | USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.1% | 16.4% | 0.89 | −30.0% | — | 0.71 | 0.12% |
| 42 | GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 13.6% | 1.04 | −37.6% | +168% | 0.56 | 0.60% |
| 43 | AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +14.0% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.90 | 0.15% |
| 44 |  MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.50 | — |
| 45 | DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.1% | 13.8% | 0.96 | −32.5% | +206% | 0.72 | 0.35% |
| 46 | AVEMAvantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF · Emerging Markets Equity | Same or nearby category | +9.3% | 19.5% | 0.56 | −36.0% | — | 0.54 | 0.33% |
| 47 | OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +9.0% | 16.4% | 0.61 | −33.2% | — | 0.79 | 0.29% |
| 48 | SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology | Whole market | +15.0% | 19.5% | 0.82 | −30.8% | — | 0.68 | 0.45% |
| 49 | EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +9.2% | 18.8% | 0.57 | −33.1% | +132% | 0.66 | 0.49% |
| 50 |  SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.3% | 18.8% | 0.67 | −38.4% | +170% | 0.22 | — |
| 51 | HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +12.8% | 14.2% | 0.92 | −36.4% | +134% | 0.59 | 0.09% |
| 52 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.4% | 0.93 | −36.9% | — | 0.84 | 0.05% |
| 53 | VPLVanguard FTSE Pacific ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +9.5% | 18.6% | 0.58 | −33.9% | +141% | 0.68 | 0.07% |
| 54 | JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.1% | 0.73 | −34.3% | — | 0.80 | 0.12% |
| 55 | FHLCFidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +7.3% | 15.4% | 0.53 | −28.8% | +199% | 0.62 | 0.08% |
| 56 | HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International | Whole market | +11.4% | 15.3% | 0.79 | −32.4% | +180% | 0.72 | 0.19% |
| 57 | FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 14.4% | 0.98 | −41.4% | +199% | 0.70 | 0.43% |
| 58 | AVIVAvantis International Large Cap Value ETF · International | Whole market | +12.6% | 16.7% | 0.80 | −27.7% | — | 0.69 | 0.25% |
| 59 | FFEBFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +10.8% | 10.8% | 1.01 | −22.8% | — | 0.78 | 0.85% |
| 60 | DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +11.3% | 16.1% | 0.75 | −33.1% | — | 0.82 | 0.39% |
| 61 | DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +12.0% | 13.9% | 0.89 | −37.4% | +156% | 0.78 | 0.38% |
| 62 | IPACiShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF · International | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.9% | 0.55 | −31.0% | +126% | 0.71 | 0.09% |
| 63 | RODMHartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF · International | Whole market | +10.6% | 13.5% | 0.82 | −36.0% | +141% | 0.70 | 0.29% |
| 64 | FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +9.8% | 13.0% | 0.79 | −34.4% | +249% | 0.74 | 0.15% |
| 65 | BKIEBNY Mellon International Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +11.5% | 16.4% | 0.75 | −28.2% | — | 0.71 | 0.04% |
| 66 | TDVGT. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +9.6% | 13.8% | 0.73 | −19.2% | — | 0.84 | 0.50% |
| 67 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.55 | — |
| 68 | DUSADavis Select U.S. Equity ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +11.3% | 18.4% | 0.68 | −36.7% | — | 0.83 | 0.59% |
| 69 | FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +11.5% | 14.8% | 0.82 | −19.4% | +121% | 0.74 | 0.75% |
| 70 | FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +11.9% | 16.9% | 0.75 | −32.1% | +153% | 0.58 | 0.60% |
| 71 | HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.0% | 18.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | — | 0.72 | 0.50% |
| 72 | GEMGoldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +7.3% | 18.8% | 0.47 | −37.0% | +113% | 0.54 | 0.59% |
| 73 | NTSXWisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund · Alternatives | Whole market | +8.2% | 17.2% | 0.55 | −31.4% | — | 0.79 | 0.20% |
| 74 | IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International | Whole market | +10.0% | 17.9% | 0.63 | −33.6% | +183% | 0.69 | 0.29% |
| 75 | FDRRFidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +12.6% | 15.0% | 0.87 | −36.5% | +265% | 0.79 | 0.15% |
| 76 | DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International | Whole market | +13.8% | 15.1% | 0.94 | −34.4% | +261% | 0.77 | 0.50% |
| 77 | SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.8% | 12.7% | 1.01 | −18.4% | — | 0.78 | 0.31% |
| 78 | IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 15.6% | 0.93 | −37.3% | +180% | 0.56 | 0.50% |
| 79 | SFYSoFi Select 500 ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.9% | 19.4% | 0.77 | −33.3% | — | 0.75 | 0.19% |
| 80 | AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.9% | 19.4% | 0.49 | −29.1% | +192% | 0.41 | — |
| 81 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology | Whole market | +16.2% | 19.1% | 0.89 | −33.6% | +330% | 0.61 | 0.70% |
| 82 | DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +11.8% | 13.3% | 0.91 | −34.7% | +227% | 0.79 | 0.07% |
| 83 | PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare | Whole market | +11.2% | 16.6% | 0.72 | −34.0% | +135% | 0.59 | 0.58% |
| 84 | LGHHCM Defender 500 Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +9.4% | 16.7% | 0.63 | −29.6% | — | 0.70 | 1.00% |
| 85 |  TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.62 | — |
| 86 | BIBLInspire 100 ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +7.9% | 20.0% | 0.48 | −36.1% | — | 0.89 | 0.41% |
| 87 |  EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +16.4% | 17.1% | 0.98 | −58.1% | +178% | 0.52 | — |
| 88 |  BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.75 | — |
| 89 | IHDGWisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund · International | Whole market | +7.6% | 14.9% | 0.57 | −29.2% | +163% | 0.71 | 0.58% |
| 90 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.08 | 0.80% |
| 91 |  SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance | Whole market | +11.7% | 19.4% | 0.67 | −50.8% | +255% | 0.59 | — |
| 92 |  XLFState Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF · Financial Sector Equity | Whole market | +8.6% | 18.3% | 0.54 | −42.9% | +241% | 0.80 | 0.08% |
| 93 | PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.5% | 8.6% | 1.20 | −18.2% | — | 0.79 | 0.79% |
| 94 | FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.2% | 14.6% | 0.92 | −40.2% | +253% | 0.82 | 0.15% |
| 95 |  DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.5% | 18.0% | 0.50 | −37.4% | +132% | 0.42 | — |
| 96 |  JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income | Whole market | +7.5% | 11.0% | 0.71 | −13.7% | — | 0.76 | 0.35% |
| 97 |  EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.0% | 18.8% | 0.70 | −30.9% | +114% | 0.28 | — |
| 98 | PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +16.1% | 15.1% | 1.07 | −41.3% | — | 0.86 | 0.56% |
| 99 | FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.6% | 16.3% | 0.87 | −40.2% | +194% | 0.68 | 0.25% |
| 100 | CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +7.7% | 13.3% | 0.63 | −23.8% | +101% | 0.25 | — |
IJR against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against IJR, compared period by period and year by year.
How do IJR's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at IJR, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Eight of the 20 popular alternatives, led by VTI, SMLF and DFAT, were both more rewarding and calmer than IJR over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, IJR returned 5.6% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (21.1% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than IJR with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | +11.5% | 17.5% |
| AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF | +10.5% | 22.1% |
| SMLF iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF | +10.0% | 21.0% |
| DFAT Dimensional - US Targeted Value ETF | +9.6% | 21.0% |
| XSMO Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF | +8.6% | 22.5% |
| CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF | +7.2% | 23.0% |
| IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | +7.2% | 19.6% |
| DFAS Dimensional - US Small Cap ETF | +7.1% | 20.5% |
| VO Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | +6.8% | 17.6% |
| FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF | +6.8% | 20.6% |
| SLYV State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | +6.2% | 21.5% |
| VB Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | +6.2% | 20.6% |
| SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | +6.0% | 22.0% |
| VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | +5.7% | 21.1% |
| IJR This pageiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | +5.6% | 21.1% |
| VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | +5.4% | 22.4% |
| XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF | +5.4% | 21.0% |
| IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | +5.2% | 22.4% |
| OMFS Invesco Russell 2000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF | +5.1% | 20.9% |
| IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | +5.1% | 24.4% |
| SLYG State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | +4.9% | 21.4% |
Has IJR consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares IJR with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than IJR helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Four of the 24 popular alternatives, led by SPY, VO and AVUV, outperformed IJR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- SPY, VTI and SMLF earned more for the risk they took than IJR (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
- VB outperformed IJR over all three long-term periods but in only one of the five short-term ones, so IJR has had the better of it lately.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than IJR over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (this page) | — | −1.1% | −4.8% | +1.8% | +14.4% | +16.7% | +60.8% | +31.5% | +164% | 21.1% | 0.37 | −44.4% | 0.06% | $102B | — |
| SPY QualifiedState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.3% | +81.7% | +321% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | 0.09% | $823B | 68% |
| VO QualifiedVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | +0.8% | +1.6% | +5.7% | +11.8% | +12.4% | +68.9% | +39.1% | +198% | 17.6% | 0.47 | −39.4% | 0.03% | $217B | 86% |
| AVUV QualifiedAvantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −0.4% | −2.6% | +3.0% | +18.4% | +24.4% | +70.2% | +64.9% | — | 22.1% | 0.56 | −49.4% | 0.25% | $31B | 73% |
| DFAT QualifiedDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | 0.0% | −1.7% | +3.6% | +15.3% | +20.5% | +64.5% | +57.8% | — | 21.0% | 0.54 | −26.1% | 0.33% | $30B | 80% |
| VTI Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 2/5 short3/3 long | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | 0.03% | $2.3T | 69% |
| SMLF Broad MarketiShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF | 2/5 short3/3 long | −0.9% | −1.2% | +2.3% | +12.4% | +14.9% | +78.2% | +61.2% | +206% | 21.0% | 0.56 | −41.9% | 0.15% | $4.1B | 92% |
| VB Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 1/5 short3/3 long | −0.8% | −1.8% | +1.3% | +11.2% | +13.7% | +66.8% | +35.2% | +179% | 20.6% | 0.40 | −42.0% | 0.03% | $176B | 90% |
| XSMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF | 0/5 short3/3 long | −2.9% | −7.7% | −5.8% | +10.3% | +9.7% | +78.6% | +51.0% | +245% | 22.5% | 0.48 | −39.4% | 0.35% | $2.8B | 76% |
| IJH Broad MarketiShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 2/5 short2/3 long | −0.2% | −2.2% | +0.2% | +10.1% | +13.5% | +59.4% | +41.4% | +178% | 19.6% | 0.45 | −42.2% | 0.05% | $121B | 89% |
| FNDA Broad MarketSchwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF | 1/5 short2/3 long | −0.4% | −4.3% | +0.6% | +13.0% | +16.4% | +61.0% | +39.0% | +174% | 20.6% | 0.42 | −44.6% | 0.25% | $8.7B | 93% |
| SCHA Broad MarketSchwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 1/5 short2/3 long | −2.8% | −3.6% | +1.1% | +13.9% | +16.5% | +73.1% | +33.9% | +165% | 22.0% | 0.38 | −42.4% | 0.03% | $21B | 91% |
| CALF Broad MarketPacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF | 5/5 short1/3 long | +4.0% | +9.4% | +19.7% | +28.6% | +35.3% | +48.8% | +41.6% | — | 23.0% | 0.42 | −47.5% | 0.59% | $3.7B | 66% |
| SLYV Broad MarketState Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | 3/5 short1/3 long | −0.9% | −3.9% | +2.4% | +14.6% | +19.0% | +61.7% | +35.4% | +153% | 21.5% | 0.39 | −47.7% | 0.15% | $4.7B | 91% |
| IJS Broad MarketiShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF | 2/5 short1/3 long | −0.9% | −3.9% | +2.2% | +14.6% | +18.9% | +61.6% | +34.7% | +150% | 21.5% | 0.39 | −47.7% | 0.18% | $7.5B | 91% |
| DFAS Broad MarketDimensional - US Small Cap ETF | 1/5 short1/3 long | −0.9% | −2.2% | +2.0% | +12.4% | +15.5% | +62.0% | +41.2% | — | 20.5% | 0.44 | −26.1% | 0.31% | $34B | 92% |
| VTWO Broad MarketVanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 0/5 short1/3 long | −3.4% | −5.4% | 0.0% | +11.7% | +12.5% | +72.1% | +30.1% | +161% | 22.4% | 0.35 | −41.2% | 0.06% | $17B | 86% |
| IWC Broad MarketiShares Micro-Cap ETF | 0/5 short1/3 long | −6.8% | −6.0% | −1.8% | +12.6% | +13.8% | +97.3% | +28.0% | +161% | 24.4% | 0.33 | −47.2% | 0.60% | $1.2B | 77% |
| IWM Broad MarketiShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0/5 short1/3 long | −3.4% | −5.4% | −0.1% | +11.6% | +12.3% | +71.3% | +29.0% | +158% | 22.4% | 0.34 | −41.1% | 0.19% | $75B | 88% |
| XSHQ Broad MarketInvesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | +0.1% | −3.3% | +1.4% | +9.0% | +8.8% | +40.1% | +29.8% | — | 21.0% | 0.35 | −38.4% | 0.29% | $287M | 81% |
| SLYG Broad MarketState Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.4% | −5.7% | +1.2% | +13.9% | +14.4% | +58.9% | +27.1% | +169% | 21.4% | 0.33 | −41.9% | 0.15% | $4.8B | 89% |
| IJT Broad MarketiShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.4% | −5.7% | +1.2% | +13.9% | +14.4% | +58.7% | +26.7% | +167% | 21.4% | 0.33 | −42.0% | 0.18% | $7.4B | 91% |
| VIOO Broad MarketVanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.1% | −4.7% | +1.9% | +14.3% | +16.9% | +60.9% | +31.7% | +165% | 21.1% | 0.37 | −44.1% | 0.07% | $6.1B | 96% |
| SPSM Broad MarketState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.1% | −4.7% | +1.8% | +14.5% | +16.8% | +61.1% | +32.2% | +163% | 21.1% | 0.37 | −42.9% | 0.03% | $16B | 99% |
| OMFS Broad MarketInvesco Russell 2000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.8% | −5.3% | +0.6% | +12.1% | +13.7% | +60.3% | +28.1% | — | 20.9% | 0.34 | −42.5% | 0.39% | $261M | 80% |
How did IJR do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2001, along with where IJR ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with IJR and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- IJR finished ahead of the S&P 500 in ten of its 25 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last three.
- Among its popular alternatives, AVUV came out ahead of IJR most often, in five of the six years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, IJR finished in the top quarter in six of 25 years and in the bottom quarter in two. In 2025, it ranked 18 of 21.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of IJR; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places IJR among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of IJR | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IJR This pageiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | — | +5.9% | +8.6% | +16.1% | −16.2% | +26.6% | +11.3% | +22.8% | −8.5% | +13.2% | +26.6% | −2.1% | +5.8% | +41.4% | +16.3% | +0.8% | +26.7% | +25.9% | −31.5% | −0.5% | +15.1% | +7.5% | +22.4% | +38.5% | −14.3% | +6.5% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 6 of 25 | 18 of 21 | 15 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 11 of 21 | 7 of 19 | 15 of 19 | 12 of 18 | 6 of 18 | 11 of 15 | 3 of 15 | 5 of 14 | 8 of 14 | 3 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 3 of 13 | 8 of 11 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 5 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 13 of 25 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% | +10.7% | +28.2% | −21.6% | −11.7% |
| VO Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | 10 of 21 | +11.6% | +15.3% | +16.0% | −18.8% | +24.7% | +18.1% | +30.9% | −9.2% | +19.3% | +11.2% | −1.3% | +13.8% | +35.1% | +16.2% | −2.0% | +25.5% | +40.6% | −41.6% | +5.5% | +14.0% | +13.9% | — | — | — | — |
| AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF | 5 of 6 | +7.4% | +9.3% | +22.8% | −4.9% | +42.2% | +6.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DFAT Dimensional - US Targeted Value ETF | 3 of 4 | +8.7% | +7.8% | +20.9% | −6.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 12 of 24 | +17.1% | +23.8% | +26.0% | −19.5% | +25.7% | +21.1% | +30.7% | −5.2% | +21.2% | +12.8% | +0.4% | +12.5% | +33.4% | +16.4% | +1.0% | +17.4% | +28.9% | −37.0% | +5.3% | +15.7% | +6.3% | +12.8% | +30.7% | −20.5% | — |
| SMLF iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF | 4 of 10 | +12.3% | +16.4% | +20.0% | −12.2% | +26.6% | +8.4% | +21.6% | −8.4% | +12.7% | +20.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| VB Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 10 of 21 | +8.9% | +14.2% | +18.2% | −17.5% | +17.6% | +19.2% | +27.3% | −9.3% | +16.3% | +18.4% | −3.8% | +7.6% | +37.7% | +18.3% | −2.8% | +28.1% | +36.6% | −36.2% | 0.0% | +14.4% | +6.0% | — | — | — | — |
| XSMO Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF | 9 of 20 | +9.8% | +17.4% | +21.6% | −15.4% | +19.3% | +22.0% | +28.6% | −3.4% | +23.9% | +6.5% | −0.5% | +5.8% | +33.3% | +13.6% | −1.4% | +27.3% | +17.5% | −37.9% | −1.0% | +5.2% | — | — | — | — | — |
| IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 11 of 25 | +7.4% | +13.9% | +16.4% | −13.1% | +24.7% | +13.6% | +26.1% | −11.2% | +16.3% | +20.7% | −2.3% | +9.7% | +33.5% | +17.7% | −2.2% | +26.7% | +37.9% | −36.1% | +7.3% | +9.7% | +12.8% | +16.1% | +35.3% | −14.2% | −1.4% |
| FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF | 6 of 12 | +7.5% | +9.0% | +20.3% | −14.9% | +31.1% | +8.7% | +24.3% | −11.3% | +13.6% | +24.6% | −4.3% | +8.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 9 of 16 | +11.7% | +11.2% | +18.4% | −19.8% | +16.4% | +19.3% | +26.4% | −11.7% | +14.2% | +20.0% | −4.2% | +6.5% | +39.3% | +18.4% | −3.0% | +28.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF | 4 of 8 | +2.3% | −7.4% | +35.4% | −15.2% | +40.7% | +16.6% | +18.1% | −10.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SLYV State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | 12 of 25 | +6.5% | +7.3% | +14.8% | −11.1% | +30.6% | +2.6% | +24.3% | −12.8% | +11.8% | +31.2% | −6.5% | +6.9% | +40.7% | +17.3% | −1.7% | +24.7% | +37.0% | −33.9% | −4.6% | +19.8% | +2.9% | +18.2% | +42.8% | −3.7% | +14.3% |
| DFAS Dimensional - US Small Cap ETF | 4 of 4 | +8.2% | +10.2% | +17.8% | −13.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 6 of 15 | +12.9% | +11.6% | +17.1% | −20.5% | +14.8% | +20.2% | +25.8% | −11.1% | +14.7% | +21.4% | −4.5% | +5.0% | +38.8% | +16.2% | −4.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 6 of 20 | +22.4% | +13.6% | +9.0% | −21.9% | +18.7% | +20.9% | +22.2% | −13.1% | +12.8% | +20.6% | −5.0% | +3.6% | +45.2% | +19.5% | −9.8% | +29.6% | +23.7% | −39.0% | −9.0% | +14.9% | — | — | — | — | — |
| IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 9 of 25 | +12.7% | +11.4% | +16.8% | −20.5% | +14.5% | +20.0% | +25.4% | −11.1% | +14.6% | +21.6% | −4.5% | +5.0% | +38.7% | +16.7% | −4.4% | +26.9% | +28.5% | −34.2% | −1.8% | +18.3% | +4.5% | +18.0% | +47.4% | −20.3% | +1.8% |
| XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF | 4 of 8 | +0.8% | +7.5% | +23.9% | −15.0% | +24.0% | +11.8% | +17.3% | −6.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SLYG State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | 13 of 25 | +5.2% | +9.4% | +17.3% | −21.3% | +22.4% | +19.5% | +21.0% | −4.2% | +14.6% | +22.2% | +2.4% | +3.9% | +42.7% | +14.1% | +3.7% | +30.2% | +47.2% | −41.1% | +6.1% | +13.3% | +8.7% | +14.7% | +47.8% | −38.7% | −8.7% |
| VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | 0 of 15 | +6.0% | +8.5% | +16.2% | −16.3% | +26.8% | +11.5% | +22.7% | −8.6% | +13.1% | +26.8% | −2.1% | +5.4% | +41.3% | +15.4% | +0.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| OMFS Invesco Russell 2000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF | 4 of 8 | +13.4% | +3.9% | +15.1% | −17.3% | +28.6% | +15.0% | +27.1% | −9.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How IJR has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were IJR's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IJR's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2000, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all five of IJR's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- The longest climb back to a previous high took 23 months, after IJR fell 58.1% from July 2007 to March 2009.
Green means IJR fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | IJR fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −58.1% | −54.6% | Jul 2007 | Mar 2009 | 20 months | Feb 2011 | 23 months |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −44.4% | −20.5% | Aug 2018 | Mar 2020 | 19 months | Nov 2020 | 8 months |
| Dot-com bust | −33.6% | −30.4% | Apr 2002 | Oct 2002 | 6 months | Oct 2003 | 12 months |
| No named crash | −28.0% | −16.4% | Nov 2024 | Apr 2025 | 5 months | Dec 2025 | 8 months |
| 2011 euro debt crisis | −26.6% | −18.4% | Jul 2011 | Oct 2011 | 3 months | Feb 2012 | 4 months |
How did IJR do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far IJR, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
Note: IJR began trading on May 26, 2000, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.
- IJR fell further than the S&P 500 in seven of the nine crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when IJR fell 41.5% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
- Among its popular alternatives, VTI held up best, falling less than IJR in seven of the nine crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than IJR.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IJR This pageiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | — | −7.0% | −24.7% | −41.5% | −25.8% | −5.4% | −17.1% | −25.2% | −2.6% | −58.0% | Not yet trading |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 7 of 9 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| VO Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | 4 of 9 | −5.8% | −25.0% | −39.4% | −21.2% | −5.8% | −18.8% | −23.4% | −2.4% | −58.3% | — |
| AVUV Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF | 1 of 3 | −9.3% | −20.0% | −46.9% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DFAT Dimensional - US Targeted Value ETF | 1 of 2 | −8.7% | −19.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 7 of 9 | −4.0% | −25.2% | −35.0% | −20.0% | −6.3% | −14.1% | −19.5% | −1.9% | −55.5% | — |
| SMLF iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF | 4 of 6 | −7.5% | −23.3% | −40.9% | −23.2% | −5.4% | −16.1% | — | — | — | — |
| VB Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 1 of 9 | −7.3% | −24.9% | −42.0% | −23.8% | −5.9% | −20.5% | −26.7% | −2.5% | −59.7% | — |
| XSMO Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF | 1 of 9 | −7.9% | −25.3% | −38.7% | −28.6% | −5.7% | −27.9% | −26.6% | −2.5% | −57.9% | — |
| IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 4 of 9 | −7.0% | −22.8% | −42.2% | −22.8% | −6.1% | −17.5% | −24.6% | −2.6% | −54.8% | — |
| FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF | 2 of 6 | −7.1% | −24.1% | −44.0% | −23.7% | −5.5% | −18.5% | — | — | — | — |
| SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 0 of 8 | −7.3% | −26.6% | −42.3% | −25.3% | −5.6% | −21.5% | −27.0% | −2.7% | — | — |
| CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF | 2 of 5 | −6.0% | −26.6% | −41.3% | −25.7% | −3.6% | — | — | — | — | — |
| SLYV State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | 2 of 9 | −7.7% | −22.1% | −43.6% | −26.1% | −4.9% | −16.3% | −25.4% | −2.9% | −59.6% | — |
| DFAS Dimensional - US Small Cap ETF | 1 of 2 | −7.2% | −23.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 1 of 7 | −7.2% | −26.8% | −40.9% | −25.4% | −5.5% | −21.6% | −27.3% | — | — | — |
| IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 1 of 9 | −8.4% | −27.8% | −42.9% | −27.1% | −4.5% | −22.6% | −28.5% | −3.4% | −63.8% | — |
| IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 1 of 9 | −7.1% | −26.8% | −40.8% | −25.7% | −5.5% | −21.5% | −27.2% | −2.9% | −58.4% | — |
| XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF | 3 of 5 | −6.1% | −24.3% | −32.5% | −22.5% | −5.8% | — | — | — | — | — |
| SLYG State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | 1 of 9 | −6.6% | −27.5% | −39.9% | −25.3% | −5.5% | −17.9% | −24.9% | −3.7% | −60.0% | — |
| VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | 1 of 7 | −7.1% | −24.7% | −41.3% | −25.8% | −5.2% | −17.0% | −24.3% | — | — | — |
| OMFS Invesco Russell 2000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF | 2 of 5 | −6.6% | −24.6% | −39.7% | −22.9% | −5.8% | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does IJR move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares IJR with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- 11 of the 14 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than IJR's 0.77, led by VTI, XSMO and VO.
- VTI took just 103% of the S&P 500's losses, against 123% for IJR, while still keeping 100% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, IJR captured 95% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 123% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.13. Its share of the market's losses was larger than its share of the gains.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than IJR's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IJR This pageiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 95% | 123% | 0.77 | 1.13 |
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 100% | 103% | 0.97 | 1.02 |
| XSMO Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF | 95% | 104% | 0.92 | 1.08 |
| VO Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | 91% | 109% | 0.84 | 1.05 |
| SMLF iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF | 98% | 118% | 0.83 | 1.11 |
| IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 93% | 115% | 0.81 | 1.10 |
| VB Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 96% | 120% | 0.80 | 1.13 |
| FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF | 97% | 123% | 0.79 | 1.16 |
| SLYG State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | 93% | 119% | 0.79 | 1.11 |
| SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 97% | 124% | 0.78 | 1.18 |
| IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 97% | 124% | 0.78 | 1.17 |
| VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | 95% | 122% | 0.78 | 1.13 |
| VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 98% | 128% | 0.77 | 1.17 |
| IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 98% | 129% | 0.76 | 1.17 |
| SLYV State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | 96% | 128% | 0.75 | 1.16 |
What diversifies IJR?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with IJR's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing IJR with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in IJR into DBMF would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 22% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+6.2% for IJR alone, +7.5% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, GLD and XLE have moved largely independently of IJR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.39 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- Among large stocks, CAH, CLS and MCK have moved largely independently of IJR over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.41 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which IJR lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% IJR and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 2015 | 2008 | 2007 | 2002 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (this page) | 1.00 | +31.5% | 0.37 | −16.2% | −8.5% | −2.1% | −31.5% | −0.5% | −14.3% | 20.3% | +6.2% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.39 | +225% | 1.34 | +6.0% | −19.8% | +7.7% | −20.8% | −7.4% | — | 17.4% | +10.3% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.09 | +126% | 0.96 | −0.8% | −1.9% | −10.7% | +4.9% | +30.4% | — | 16.9% | +9.0% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.39 | +177% | 0.93 | +64.4% | −18.2% | −21.5% | −39.0% | +36.8% | −14.8% | 18.9% | +9.9% |
| EDIV InternationalState Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 0.45 | +69.9% | 0.84 | −15.3% | −6.2% | −27.4% | — | — | — | 17.6% | +7.4% |
| DBMF AlternativesiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF | -0.21 | +59.7% | 0.82 | +21.6% | — | — | — | — | — | 16.0% | +7.5% |
| DBA AlternativesInvesco DB Agriculture Fund | 0.16 | +66.4% | 0.81 | +2.5% | −8.7% | −17.2% | −19.1% | — | — | 16.8% | +7.4% |
| PPH HealthcareVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF | 0.49 | +72.8% | 0.78 | +2.6% | −5.9% | +3.5% | −19.9% | +2.9% | −24.8% | 17.8% | +7.3% |
| GDX MaterialsVanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.24 | +181% | 0.73 | −9.0% | −8.8% | −24.7% | −26.1% | +16.8% | — | 19.5% | +11.1% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 2015 | 2008 | 2007 | 2002 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (this page) | 1.00 | +31.5% | 0.37 | −16.2% | −8.5% | −2.1% | −31.5% | −0.5% | −14.3% | 20.3% | +6.2% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.31 | +479% | 1.55 | +54.1% | −24.5% | +12.6% | −39.6% | −9.8% | −8.3% | 18.6% | +12.5% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.41 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +1.3% | −16.3% | −6.0% | −20.5% | −25.7% | −65.1% | 23.6% | +24.4% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.24 | +413% | 1.44 | +51.8% | −28.4% | −4.5% | −40.4% | +29.7% | −27.2% | 18.2% | +12.0% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.29 | +690% | 1.41 | +86.6% | −8.2% | +17.4% | — | — | — | 19.2% | +14.5% |
| ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc. | 0.49 | +1,008% | 1.34 | +87.5% | −9.8% | −66.7% | −70.0% | −4.2% | −60.8% | 22.5% | +17.1% |
Common questions
What was IJR's worst drawdown?
IJR's deepest decline since it began trading in 2000 was 58.1%, from July 2007 to March 2009. It took 23 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were IJR's best and worst years?
Over 25 full calendar years, IJR's best year was 2013, when it returned 41.4%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -31.5%.
Is there a better investment than IJR?
Among IJR's popular alternatives, VTI, SPY and VO earned more than IJR with less volatility over the past 5 years. VTI returned 11.5% a year at 17.5% volatility, against 5.6% a year at 21.1%. SCHA tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against IJR's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.
Is IJR more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. IJR's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.1%, 1.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IJR's return lands within 21.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is IJR's Sharpe ratio?
IJR's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.37, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so IJR earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is IJR with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, IJR's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.79 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IJR instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IJR holding.
What are the best alternatives to IJR?
Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, four outperformed IJR in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: SPY, VO and AVUV.
Did IJR outperform the S&P 500?
IJR finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in ten of 25 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +5.9%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did IJR do in stock market crashes?
IJR fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when IJR fell 41.5% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.
What diversifies IJR?
These had a low correlation with IJR over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.39), GLD (correlation 0.09) and XLE (correlation 0.39); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.31), CLS (correlation 0.41) and MCK (correlation 0.24). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than IJR's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of IJR's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
More research
Popular alternatives to IJR
- SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF
- VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
- VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
- VBVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF
IJHiShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF
IWMiShares Russell 2000 ETF
NVDA
AAPL
GOOG
MSFT
AMZN