IJR vs PSCU
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF
Which is better, IJR or PSCU?
IJR has been ahead.
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.0%.
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 | IJR | PSCU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.29% |
| AUM | $103.2B | $14M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 0.85% |
| Holdings | 1,355 | 74 |
| YTD Return | +12.49%Best | +3.85% |
| 1Y Return | +15.89%Best | +3.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.19%Best | +7.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.42%Best | -1.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -30.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,020Best | $9,443 |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.5%Best | 53.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Apr 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.5 years).
IJR vs PSCU 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 16.5 years both funds cover.
IJR vs PSCU Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IJR returned +15.89% while PSCU returned +3.45%. Year to date, IJR is up 12.49% versus a gain of 3.85% for PSCU.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +15.19% per year against +7.40% for PSCU; over five years the annualized figures are +5.42% and -1.14% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +9.99% annualized vs +5.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 15.3% for PSCU. 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 -45.6% for IJR and -30.4% for PSCU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while PSCU charges 0.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $29 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.26% against 0.85% for PSCU.
Holdings Overlap
5.2% of IJR's money is in holdings PSCU also owns. 93.7% of PSCU's money is in holdings IJR also owns.
Most of PSCU is already inside IJR. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
31 positions in common, counted across the 594 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 34 in PSCU, against full books of 1,355 and 74.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for PSCU that do not appear in our book for IJR (6.3% of the fund), and 552 for IJR that do not appear in PSCU (91.5%).
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 IJR | Weight in PSCU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.53% | 9.59% | 9.06% |
| MSGSMadison Square Garden Co/the | 0.40% | 7.25% | 6.85% |
| LUMNLumen Technologies Inc | 0.31% | 5.65% | 5.34% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.29% | 5.37% | 5.08% |
| TTDTrade Desk, Inc. | 0.30% | 5.28% | 4.98% |
| VSNTVersant Media Group Inc-Wi | 0.25% | 4.50% | 4.25% |
| MDUMdu Resources | 0.22% | 4.05% | 3.83% |
| OTTROtter Tail Corp. | 0.21% | 3.87% | 3.66% |
| CNKCinemark Usa Inc. | 0.21% | 3.81% | 3.60% |
| CWENClearway Energy Inc | 0.20% | 3.68% | 3.48% |
93.7% of PSCU is already inside IJR.
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, IJR or PSCU?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while PSCU charges 0.29%. IJR is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or PSCU?
Over the past year IJR returned +15.89% vs +3.45% for PSCU, so IJR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IJR annualized +9.99% vs +5.82% for PSCU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or PSCU?
IJR has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 15.3% for PSCU. Worst drawdown: IJR -45.6% vs PSCU -30.4%.
Should I hold both IJR and PSCU?
IJR and PSCU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 IJR and PSCU?
93.7% of PSCU's money is in holdings IJR also owns. 93.7% of PSCU's is in holdings IJR also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 594 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 34 in PSCU.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or PSCU?
IJR yields 1.26% while PSCU yields 0.85%, so IJR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PSCU better than IJR?
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.