ETF Comparison

IJH vs IJR: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 21, 2026

iShares

ETFs477

Total AUM$4543B

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iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

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Side-by-side snapshot

	IJH	IJR
Full name	iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF	iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
Issuer	iShares	iShares
Last Close	$74.93 as of July 21, 2026	$145.10 as of July 21, 2026
Distribution yield	1.01%	1.19%
Distribution Safety Score™	94	91
Expense ratio	0.05%	0.06%
AUM	$122B	$110B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	S&P MidCap 400 Index	S&P SmallCap 600 Index
Objective	Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.	Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	05/22/2000	05/22/2000
Beta	1.0	1.08
Last dividend	$0.1890	$0.4330
Ex-dividend date	06/15/2026	06/15/2026

Bottom lineIJH and IJR are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar stock exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: IJH is cheaper at 0.05% vs 0.06%.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

IJH has lagged IJR over the trailing twelve months, posting a 20.41% total return against 31.71%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — IJH has compounded at 10.94% a year, ahead of IJR at 10.77%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since May 2000	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
IJH	12.53%	20.41%	12.99%	9.44%	10.94%	9.83%	17.9%	0.44	0.63	-24.1%
IJR	20.10%	31.71%	13.73%	8.47%	10.77%	10.16%	20.2%	0.42	0.62	-28.0%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 20, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since May 2000” measures every fund from May 26, 2000 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Quick verdict

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IJR offers the higher yield at 1.19% vs 1.01% for IJH. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

IJH is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.05% compared to 0.06%.

They track different benchmarks: IJH is linked to S&P MidCap 400 Index while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

IJH is the larger fund by assets ($122B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IJH would generate roughly $8.42/month, while IJR would produce $9.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IJH yield1.01%

IJR yield1.19%

Monthly diff on $10K$1.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IJH would cost approximately $50 in fees vs $60 for IJR (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IJH ER0.05%

IJR ER0.06%

Strategy & risk

IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index with an index approach. Beta is 1.0 for IJH and 1.08 for IJR, indicating IJH is less volatile relative to the market.

IJH beta1.0

IJR beta1.08

Fund details

IJH is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $122B in assets. IJR is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $110B in assets.

IJH AUM$122B

IJR AUM$110B

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Frequently asked questions

Is IJH or IJR better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IJR currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between IJH and IJR?

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index with an index approach. They are issued by iShares and iShares respectively.

Can I hold both IJH and IJR?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, IJH or IJR?

IJH has an expense ratio of 0.05% while IJR charges 0.06%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IJH vs IJR generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IJH would generate roughly $8.42 per month ($101.00 annually). The same in IJR would produce about $9.92 per month ($119.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IJH or IJR?

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IJH vs IJR — at a glance

Generated July 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

IJH and IJR are both iShares core equity ETFs tracking broad US market-cap segments below the large-cap threshold. IJH provides exposure to the S&P MidCap 400 Index (400 mid-sized companies), while IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (600 smaller companies). The funds are nearly identical in structure and cost, but differ in the size of companies they hold and the volatility profile that comes with it.

How they differ

The most obvious difference is the underlying index: IJH holds mid-cap stocks (market cap roughly $2B–$10B range), while IJR holds small-caps ($300M–$2B range). This size difference is the primary driver of IJR's higher beta of 1.08 versus IJH's 1.0, meaning IJR tends to swing more sharply in both directions than the overall market. IJR also offers a slightly higher distribution rate of 1.19% compared to IJH's 1.00%, reflecting small-cap earnings yields; both pay quarterly. The expense ratios are nearly identical—IJH charges 0.05% and IJR 0.06%—so fees are not a meaningful differentiator. IJH holds a larger asset base at $118B versus IJR's $103B.

Who each is best for

IJH: Fits investors seeking mid-cap equity exposure with moderate growth and income characteristics, wanting a middle ground between large-cap stability and small-cap volatility.

IJR: Fits investors comfortable with higher price swings in exchange for small-cap growth potential and a modestly higher yield, typically those with longer time horizons and higher risk tolerance.

Key risks to know

Small-cap liquidity and trading cost (IJR-specific). Smaller companies in the SmallCap 600 index generally trade with wider bid-ask spreads than mid-caps, potentially increasing execution cost when buying or selling larger positions.

Higher beta volatility (IJR-specific). IJR's 1.08 beta means it will likely decline more steeply during market downturns and rally more aggressively in upturns. This amplified price swings may create emotional pressure to buy or sell at inopportune times.

Mid-cap transition risk (IJH-specific). As companies grow and move in or out of the mid-cap range into large-cap indices, IJH experiences periodic rebalancing. Rapid upward migration of large holdings can occasionally create subtle drag.

Earnings sensitivity. Both funds hold companies with shorter earnings histories and smaller analyst coverage than large-caps. Economic slowdowns or interest rate spikes can disproportionately impact profitability in this size range.

Bottom line

If you want lower volatility and a simpler hold with minimal tracking costs, IJH's mid-cap exposure and 1.0 beta match that goal. If you're willing to tolerate higher swings for small-cap growth potential and a 19 basis-point higher yield, IJR's risk-return profile aligns with that appetite. Both are cheaply run and highly liquid; the choice hinges on how much market volatility you can manage and what company size range fits your growth expectations.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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