A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF and State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — 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.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on MDY.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
IJH has outpaced MDY over the trailing twelve months, posting a 20.30% total return against 19.92%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: IJH has compounded at 11.05% a year, against 10.82% for MDY. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 14, 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 MDY (State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IJH offers the higher yield at 1.00% vs 0.99% for MDY. 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 0.24%.
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 MDY would produce $8.25/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
IJH yield1.00%
MDY yield0.99%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IJH would cost approximately $50 in fees vs $240 for MDY (simplified, not compounded). The $190.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IJH ER0.05%
MDY ER0.24%
Strategy & risk
IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while MDY is an ETF. Beta is 1.0 for IJH and 0.99 for MDY, indicating MDY is less volatile relative to the market.
IJH beta1.0
MDY beta0.99
Fund details
IJH is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $118B in assets. MDY is managed by State Street (launched 05/04/1995) with $27.4B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is IJH or MDY 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 MDY?
IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index with an index approach, while MDY (State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust) is an ETF. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both IJH and MDY?
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 MDY?
IJH has an expense ratio of 0.05% while MDY charges 0.24%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IJH vs MDY generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IJH would generate roughly $8.33 per month ($100.00 annually). The same in MDY would produce about $8.25 per month ($99.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IJH or MDY?
IJH has outpaced MDY over the trailing twelve months, posting a 20.30% total return against 19.92%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: IJH has compounded at 11.05% a year, against 10.82% for MDY. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
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