Dividend comparison
IJH vs MDY: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF and State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IJH vs MDY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. IJH is cheaper at 0.05% a year versus 0.23% for MDY. On $10,000 that is $18 a year less in fees.
- Income. IJH pays more income, yielding 1.23% over the last twelve months versus 1.05% for MDY. That is about $18 more a year on $10,000. IJH pays quarterly, MDY pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IJH returned 41.0% versus 38.2% for MDY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,099 in IJH and $13,823 in MDY.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -24.1% for IJH and -24.0% for MDY from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IJH holds 408 positions and MDY holds 400. The ten largest positions make up 7.9% of IJH and 8.1% of MDY.
- Overlap. At least 45% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 96 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. MDY grew its yearly payout 8.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.5% for IJH.
- Size. IJH is the larger fund with $122.5 billion in assets, against $25.6 billion for MDY.
Bottom line: IJH fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. MDY fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | MDY State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.23% | 1.05% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.90 | $7.02 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.2259 on Sep 18, 2026 | $1.7022 on Jul 31, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Next payment | — | $1.6035 on Oct 30, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.5% over 4 yrs | 8.5% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $73.09 | $666.92 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | 5 years |
| Beta | 1.03 | 1.01 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -24.1% | -24.0% |
| Market cap | $121.28B | $25.53B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.23% |
| Assets under management | $122.50B | $25.58B |
| Number of holdings | 408 | 400 |
| Top 10 concentration | 7.9% | 8.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IJH
$10.29/mo
$123 /yr at 1.23% yield
MDY
$8.77/mo
$105 /yr at 1.05% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IJH pays quarterly; MDY pays semi-annual.
| Year | IJH | MDY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.8947 | $6.8109 |
| 2024 | $0.8274 | $6.5518 |
| 2023 | $0.8093 | $5.9265 |
| 2022 | $0.8141 | $5.8700 |
| 2021 | $0.6700 | $4.9066 |
Strategy: Small and mid cap
Funds that hold companies below the large-cap tier, where there is more room for growth and less coverage by analysts. Small-cap indexes differ meaningfully: some screen for profitability, some include every listed company, and value-tilted funds lean toward the cheapest names. Those rules drive more of the difference between funds than fees do.
Smaller companies are more sensitive to recessions and borrowing costs, so drawdowns run deeper than in large-cap funds.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $14,099 in IJH and $13,823 in MDY.
| Period | IJH | MDY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.15% | 0.04% |
| 3 months | -2.16% | -3.17% |
| Year to date | 11.64% | 10.55% |
| 1 year | 13.48% | 11.91% |
| 3 years | 58.93% | 56.30% |
| 5 years | 40.99% | 38.23% |
- IJH
- MDY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IJH
- MDY
IJH vs MDY holdings overlap
At least 45% overlap by weight, with 96 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IJH weight | MDY weight |
|---|---|---|
| TWLOTWILIO CLASS A | 0.93% | 0.96% |
| OKTAOKTA CLASS A | 0.93% | 0.91% |
| PEVERPURE INC CLASS A | 0.99% | 0.82% |
| FTITECHNIPFMC PLC | 0.81% | 0.80% |
| ILMNILLUMINA INC | 0.79% | 0.90% |
| ATIATI | 0.76% | 0.74% |
| NVTNVENT ELECTRIC PLC | 0.68% | 0.67% |
| UTHRUNITED THERAPEUTICS | 0.69% | 0.67% |
| USFDUS FOODS HOLDING | 0.64% | 0.65% |
| XPOXPO | 0.64% | 0.64% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IJH408 holdings total
Quick verdict
IJH fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. MDY fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IJH vs MDY fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IJH or MDY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IJH currently yields 1.23% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while MDY yields 1.05%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IJH and MDY?
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust (MDY) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IJH or MDY?
IJH has the lower expense ratio. IJH charges 0.05% a year and MDY charges 0.23%, a difference of $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IJH or MDY?
Over the last 5 years, IJH has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IJH returned 41.0% and MDY returned 38.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IJH or MDY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IJH has been riskier: IJH fell as much as 24.1% and MDY as much as 24.0%. Their betas are 1.03 and 1.01.
How much do IJH and MDY overlap?
At least 45% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 96 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are TWLO, OKTA, P. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IJH and MDY pay dividends?
IJH pays quarterly and MDY pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in IJH vs MDY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IJH would generate roughly $10.29 per month ($123 annually). The same amount in MDY would produce about $8.77 per month ($105 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IJH and MDY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IJH vs MDY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IJH and MDY fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
Related comparisons
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.