Dividend comparison
IJR vs VTWO: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IJR vs VTWO: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.06% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 1.24% for IJR and 1.22% for VTWO. IJR pays quarterly, VTWO pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IJR returned 31.1% versus 29.6% for VTWO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,105 in IJR and $12,963 in VTWO.
- Risk. VTWO has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -31.9%, against -28.0% for IJR.
- Diversification. VTWO holds 1,969 positions and IJR holds 643. The ten largest positions make up 5.5% of IJR and 3.3% of VTWO.
- Overlap. At least 8% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 38 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. VTWO grew its yearly payout 5.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus -0.4% for IJR.
- Size. IJR is the larger fund with $101.7 billion in assets, against $17.3 billion for VTWO.
Bottom line: IJR fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns. VTWO fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.24% | 1.22% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.71 | $1.36 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.5094 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.3911 on Sep 25, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | -0.4% over 4 yrs | 5.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $137.66 | $111.40 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.04 | 1.14 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -28.0% | -31.9% |
| Market cap | $101.92B | $17.30B |
| Exchange | AMEX | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Assets under management | $101.74B | $17.30B |
| Number of holdings | 643 | 1969 |
| Top 10 concentration | 5.5% | 3.3% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IJR
$10.34/mo
$124 /yr at 1.24% yield
VTWO
$10.15/mo
$122 /yr at 1.22% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IJR pays quarterly; VTWO pays annual.
| Year | IJR | VTWO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.7275 | $1.2429 |
| 2024 | $2.3644 | $1.0821 |
| 2023 | $1.4223 | $1.1739 |
| 2022 | $1.3380 | $1.0413 |
| 2021 | $1.7540 | $1.0173 |
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 $13,105 in IJR and $12,963 in VTWO.
| Period | IJR | VTWO |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.89% | -2.94% |
| 3 months | -4.79% | -5.41% |
| Year to date | 15.50% | 12.89% |
| 1 year | 16.74% | 12.46% |
| 3 years | 60.24% | 71.49% |
| 5 years | 31.05% | 29.63% |
- IJR
- VTWO
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.
- IJR
- VTWO
IJR vs VTWO holdings overlap
At least 8% overlap by weight, with 38 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 | IJR weight | VTWO weight |
|---|---|---|
| GKOSGLAUKOS | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| VSATVIASAT INC | 0.47% | 0.30% |
| KRYSKRYSTAL BIOTECH INC | 0.49% | 0.29% |
| PTGXPROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS | 0.49% | 0.28% |
| JXNJACKSON FINANCIAL CLASS A | 0.45% | 0.28% |
| EATBRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC | 0.56% | 0.28% |
| SMSM ENERGY | 0.55% | 0.27% |
| TGTXTG THERAPEUTICS | 0.45% | 0.27% |
| RHPRYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES REIT | 0.50% | 0.27% |
| MXLMAXLINEAR | 0.35% | 0.26% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IJR643 holdings total
Quick verdict
IJR fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns. VTWO fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IJR vs VTWO fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IJR or VTWO better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IJR currently yields 1.24% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VTWO yields 1.22%. 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 IJR and VTWO?
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IJR or VTWO?
They cost about the same: IJR charges 0.06% a year and VTWO charges 0.06%.
Which has performed better, IJR or VTWO?
Over the last 5 years, IJR has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IJR returned 31.1% and VTWO returned 29.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IJR or VTWO?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VTWO has been riskier: IJR fell as much as 28.0% and VTWO as much as 31.9%. Their betas are 1.04 and 1.14.
How much do IJR and VTWO overlap?
At least 8% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 38 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are GKOS, VSAT, KRYS. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IJR and VTWO pay dividends?
IJR pays quarterly and VTWO pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in IJR vs VTWO generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IJR would generate roughly $10.34 per month ($124 annually). The same amount in VTWO would produce about $10.15 per month ($122 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IJR and VTWO?
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 IJR vs VTWO with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IJR and VTWO 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.
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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.