2 hours ago
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Katie Brockman, The Motley Fool
Sat, April 25, 2026 astatine 4:20 PM CDT 4 min read
The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT:VB) and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT:IJR) some purpose to seizure the returns of U.S. small-cap stocks done afloat replication of their respective indexes.
This examination focuses connected cost, caller performance, risk, liquidity, and portfolio operation to assistance investors measurement which attack whitethorn amended acceptable their needs.
| Issuer | Vanguard | iShares |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.06% |
| 1-yr instrumentality (as of April 24, 2026) | 36.48% | 40.39% |
| Dividend yield | 1.34% | 1.29% |
| Beta (5Y monthly) | 1.23 | 1.20 |
| Assets nether absorption (AUM) | $164.6 billion | $101.1 billion |
Beta measures terms volatility comparative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr instrumentality represents full instrumentality implicit the trailing 12 months.
VB is much affordable with a somewhat little disbursal ratio. The 2 funds connection precise akin dividend yields, making outgo the superior differentiator connected this front.
| Max drawdown (5 y) | -28.16% | -28.01% |
| Growth of $1,000 implicit 5 years (total returns) | $1,368 | $1,323 |
IJR tracks a U.S. small-cap index, holding 641 stocks. Around 16% of assets are allocated to the fiscal services sector, followed by industrials and technology. Its largest positions are FormFactor, Viavi Solutions, and Sanmina, each accounting for little than 1% of assets. The money has a agelong history, astatine astir 26 years old, and aims for wide but not exhaustive small-cap coverage.
VB, by contrast, is much diversified with conscionable implicit 1,300 holdings and a somewhat antithetic assemblage mix: industrials astatine 20%, followed by exertion and fiscal services. Its apical holdings — EMCOR Group, NRG Energy, and Atmos Energy — each relationship for little than 0.5% of the portfolio. Both funds debar leverage oregon different structural quirks.
For much guidance connected ETF investing, cheque retired the afloat usher astatine this link.
While IJR and VB some absorption connected small-cap stocks and stock galore similarities, their differences successful diversification and assemblage allocations could marque them appealing to antithetic types of investors.
The 2 funds connection akin one- and five-year full returns, though IJR has edged somewhat up of VB implicit the past 12 months. With astir identical max drawdowns and betas, they’ve besides experienced astir the aforesaid level of volatility successful caller years.
VB has a marginal vantage connected some fees and income, with a somewhat little disbursal ratio and higher dividend yield. This could marque a quality for semipermanent investors and those with ample relationship balances, particularly fixed however akin these funds are successful presumption of performance.
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