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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF and iShares Russell 2000 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 8, 2026

ETFs481
Total AUM$4452B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks β€” the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

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.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IJH and IWM.

Side-by-side snapshot

IJHIWM
Full nameiShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETFiShares Russell 2000 ETF
IssueriSharesiShares
Last Close$75.47 as of July 8, 2026$296.19 as of July 8, 2026
Distribution yield1.00%0.94%
Distribution Safety Score9596
Expense ratio0.05%0.19%
AUM$118B$77.5B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P MidCap 400 IndexRussell 2000 Index
ObjectiveProvide 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 classEquityEquity
Inception date05/22/200005/22/2000
Beta1.051.29
Last dividend$0.1890$0.6950
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/15/2026

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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 IWM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.07% total return against 36.20%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 11.41% and 11.42% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince May 2000Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IJH13.34%21.07%14.83%8.69%11.41%9.88%17.9%0.530.76-24.1%
IWM19.55%36.20%18.43%6.89%11.42%8.82%21.2%0.590.87-27.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 7, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. β€œSince May 2000” measures every fund from May 26, 2000 β€” the youngest fund's first trading day β€” 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) β€” higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window β€” shallower is better.

Quick verdict

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IJH offers the higher yield at 1.00% vs 0.94% for IWM. 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 0.19%.

They track different benchmarks: IJH is linked to S&P MidCap 400 Index while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

IJH is the larger fund by assets ($118B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IJH would generate roughly $8.33/month, while IWM would produce $7.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IJH yield1.00%
IWM yield0.94%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IJH would cost approximately $50 in fees vs $190 for IWM (simplified, not compounded). The $140.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IJH ER0.05%
IWM ER0.19%

Strategy & risk

IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index with an index approach. Beta is 1.05 for IJH and 1.29 for IWM, indicating IJH is less volatile relative to the market.

IJH beta1.05
IWM beta1.29

Fund details

IJH is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $118B in assets. IWM is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $77.5B in assets.

IJH AUM$118B
IWM AUM$77.5B

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Frequently asked questions

Is IJH or IWM better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IJH 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 IWM?

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) tracks Russell 2000 Index with an index approach. They are issued by iShares and iShares respectively.

Can I hold both IJH and IWM?

Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.

Which has lower fees, IJH or IWM?

IJH has an expense ratio of 0.05% while IWM charges 0.19%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in IJH would generate roughly $8.33 per month ($100.00 annually). The same in IWM would produce about $7.83 per month ($94.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IJH or IWM?

IJH has lagged IWM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.07% total return against 36.20%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 11.41% and 11.42% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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