IJR vs SPSM
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
Which is better, IJR or SPSM?
Nearly the same fund. SPSM costs less.
SPSM has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPSM over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. SPSM is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.5%.
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 | SPSM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $103.2B | $15.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 1.56% |
| Holdings | 1,355 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +13.97% | +14.04%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.43% | +16.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.68%Best | +15.52% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.79%Best | +5.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4%Tie | 19.4%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -44.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,250Best | $13,225 |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.5% | 5.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Jul 8, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2013 to Oct 15, 2026 (13.3 years).
IJR vs SPSM 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 13.3 years both funds cover.
IJR vs SPSM Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IJR returned +16.43% while SPSM returned +16.60%. Year to date, IJR is up 13.97% versus a gain of 14.04% for SPSM.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +15.68% per year against +15.52% for SPSM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.79% and +5.75% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +9.07% annualized vs +8.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJR and SPSM have been equally volatile, both at 19.4% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.6% for IJR and -44.4% for SPSM. 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 SPSM charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.26% against 1.56% for SPSM.
Holdings Overlap
93.8% of IJR's money is in holdings SPSM also owns. 96.3% of SPSM's money is in holdings IJR also owns.
Most of SPSM is already inside IJR. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
579 positions in common, counted across the 594 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 605 in SPSM, against full books of 1,355 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 23 positions for SPSM that do not appear in our book for IJR (3.2% of the fund), and 11 for IJR that do not appear in SPSM (4.1%).
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 SPSM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORMFormfactor, Inc. | 0.67% | 0.51% | 0.16% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.56% | 0.57% | 0.01% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.55% | 0.56% | 0.01% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.03% |
| QRVOQorvo Inc_None_0 | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.00% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.52% | 0.51% | 0.01% |
| PAYCPaycom Software Inc . | 0.50% | 0.52% | 0.02% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.48% | 0.49% | 0.01% |
| KMXCarmax Inc. | 0.46% | 0.49% | 0.03% |
| RHPRyman Hospitality Properties | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.00% |
96.3% of SPSM 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 SPSM?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SPSM charges 0.03%. SPSM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or SPSM?
Over the past year IJR returned +16.43% vs +16.60% for SPSM, so SPSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), IJR annualized +9.07% vs +8.38% for SPSM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or SPSM?
IJR and SPSM have been equally volatile, both at 19.4% annualized. Worst drawdown: IJR -45.6% vs SPSM -44.4%.
Should I hold both IJR and SPSM?
IJR and SPSM 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IJR and SPSM?
96.3% of SPSM's money is in holdings IJR also owns. 96.3% of SPSM's is in holdings IJR also owns. They hold 579 positions in common, counted across the 594 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 605 in SPSM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or SPSM?
IJR yields 1.26% while SPSM yields 1.56%, so SPSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPSM better than IJR?
SPSM has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPSM over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. SPSM is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.