IJR vs SLY
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
Which is better, IJR or SLY?
Nearly the same fund. IJR costs less.
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y, SLY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | SLY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $103.2B | $1.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 1.62% |
| Holdings | 1,355 | 605 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8%Best | 20.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9%Best | -60.1% |
| $10,000 over 17.6 years | $36,062 | $46,916Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1223 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IJR has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SLY through Jun 9, 2023.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 17.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2005 to Jun 9, 2023 (17.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 19.8% for IJR. 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 -58.9% for IJR and -60.1% for SLY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while SLY charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $15 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.26% against 1.62% for SLY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IJR and SLY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IJR or SLY?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SLY charges 0.15%. IJR is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IJR or SLY?
SLY has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 19.8% for IJR. Worst drawdown: IJR -58.9% vs SLY -60.1%.
Should I hold both IJR and SLY?
IJR and SLY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or SLY?
IJR yields 1.26% while SLY yields 1.62%, so SLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SLY better than IJR?
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y, SLY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.