IJK vs RFG
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF vs Invesco S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF
Which is better, IJK or RFG?
Nearly the same fund. IJK costs less.
IJK has a lower expense ratio. IJK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.7%.
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 | IJK | RFG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $10.6B | $331M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 0.11% |
| Holdings | 504 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +11.10%Best | +8.81% |
| 1Y Return | +14.54%Best | +14.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.53%Best | +14.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.73%Best | +5.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.6% | -52.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,849Best | $13,163 |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.9%Best | 20.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | Mar 1, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.6 years).
IJK vs RFG 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 20.6 years both funds cover.
IJK vs RFG Performance
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF (RFG) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IJK returned +14.54% while RFG returned +14.48%. Year to date, IJK is up 11.10% versus a gain of 8.81% for RFG.
Over three years, IJK compounded at +15.53% per year against +14.58% for RFG; over five years the annualized figures are +6.73% and +5.65% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, IJK has the edge at +9.00% annualized vs +8.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 17.8% for IJK. 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 -54.6% for IJK and -52.0% for RFG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJK charges 0.16% per year while RFG charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $35 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJK currently yields 0.58% against 0.11% for RFG.
Holdings Overlap
64.1% of IJK's money is in holdings RFG also owns. 99.9% of RFG's money is in holdings IJK also owns.
Most of RFG is already inside IJK. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
101 positions in common, counted across the 248 positions we hold weights for in IJK and 102 in RFG, against full books of 504 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for RFG that do not appear in our book for IJK (0.1% of the fund), and 143 for IJK that do not appear in RFG (34.8%).
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 IJK | Weight in RFG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 2.57% | 2.30% | 0.27% |
| 0RMV:LNTechnipfmc Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.50% | 2.05% | 0.55% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 0.67% | 2.72% | 2.05% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 1.96% | 1.40% | 0.56% |
| ATIAti Inc | 1.45% | 1.73% | 0.28% |
| DOCNDigitalocean Holdings Inc | 0.76% | 2.22% | 1.46% |
| STRLSterling Construction Company Inc | 0.86% | 2.03% | 1.17% |
| WWDWoodward Inc | 1.10% | 1.65% | 0.55% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.49% | 1.23% | 0.26% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 1.36% | 1.35% | 0.01% |
99.9% of RFG is already inside IJK.
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, IJK or RFG?
IJK has an expense ratio of 0.16% while RFG charges 0.35%. IJK is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJK or RFG?
Over the past year IJK returned +14.54% vs +14.48% for RFG, so IJK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), IJK annualized +9.00% vs +8.96% for RFG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJK or RFG?
RFG has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 17.8% for IJK. Worst drawdown: IJK -54.6% vs RFG -52.0%.
Should I hold both IJK and RFG?
IJK and RFG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IJK and RFG?
99.9% of RFG's money is in holdings IJK also owns. 99.9% of RFG's is in holdings IJK also owns. They hold 101 positions in common, counted across the 248 positions we hold weights for in IJK and 102 in RFG.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJK or RFG?
IJK yields 0.58% while RFG yields 0.11%, so IJK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFG better than IJK?
IJK has a lower expense ratio. IJK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.