IJR vs IWM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, IJR yields more: 1.22% (dividend yield) against 0.99% for IWM. IJR is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.19%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), IJR returned 9.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and IWM 8.6%.
| Compared | IJR | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.22% | 0.99% |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.19% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +20.6% | +14.6% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +18.2% | +20.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +6.1% | +5.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +10.6% | +10.3% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -46.9% | -47.6% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +332% | +268% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| Assets | $105.6B | $75.5B |
| Started | 2000 | 2000 |
| Type | Small Blend | Small Blend |
Higher yield
IJR
1.22%
Lower cost
IJR
0.06%
Better total return
IJR
9.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
IJR
-46.9%
Key facts: IJR vs IWM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IJR yields 1.22% (dividend yield) and IWM yields 0.99% (dividend yield).
- IJR's expense ratio is 0.06% and IWM's is 0.19%: $6 vs $19 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IJR grew to $56,004 (9.6% a year) and $10,000 in IWM to $47,384 (8.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -46.9% for IJR and -47.6% for IWM.
- 4 of IJR's top ten holdings are also in IWM's top ten, an overlap of at least 1% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IJR vs IWM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ijr-vs-iwm
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IJR became
$56,004
9.6% a year
IWM became
$47,384
8.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | IJR | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.9% | +12.7% |
| 2024 | +8.6% | +11.4% |
| 2023 | +16.1% | +16.8% |
| 2022 | −16.2% | −20.5% |
| 2021 | +26.6% | +14.5% |
| 2020 | +11.3% | +20.0% |
| 2019 | +22.8% | +25.4% |
| 2018 | −8.5% | −11.1% |
| 2017 | +13.2% | +14.6% |
| 2016 | +26.6% | +21.6% |
| 2015 | −2.1% | −4.5% |
| 2014 | +5.8% | +5.0% |
| 2013 | +41.4% | +38.7% |
| 2012 | +16.3% | +16.7% |
| 2011 | +0.8% | −4.4% |
| 2010 | +26.7% | +26.9% |
| 2009 | +25.9% | +28.5% |
| 2008 | −31.5% | −34.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
4 of the top ten overlap, at least 1% of each fund.
IJR
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.2%
- GKOS Glaukos Corp0.8%
- VSAT Viasat Inc0.6%
- PAYC Paycom Software Inc0.6%
- SM SM Energy Co0.5%
- MTCH Match Group Inc Ordinary Shares - New0.5%
- PTGX Protagonist Therapeutics Inc0.5%
- RHP Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc0.5%
- TGTX TG Therapeutics Inc0.5%
- LTH Life Time Group Holdings Inc0.5%
IWM
- GKOS Glaukos Corp0.5%
- BTSG BrightSpring Health Services Inc0.4%
- FROG JFrog Ltd Ordinary Shares0.3%
- TWST Twist Bioscience Corp0.3%
- MOG-A Moog Inc Class A0.3%
- UMBF UMB Financial Corp0.3%
- VSAT Viasat Inc0.3%
- SM SM Energy Co0.3%
- EAT Brinker International Inc0.3%
- RHP Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc0.3%
IJR vs IWM: questions
Is IJR or IWM better?
It depends on the job. IJR pays more today (1.22% vs 0.99%), IJR costs less, and IJR has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with IJR holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or IWM?
IJR, at 1.22% against 0.99% for IWM as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $122 vs $99 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
IJR. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.6% for IWM. $10,000 became $56,004 vs $47,384.
Which is cheaper, IJR or IWM?
IJR, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.19%.
Do IJR and IWM hold the same things?
Partly. 4 of their top ten holdings match (GKOS, VSAT, SM, RHP), at least 1% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. IJR leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.