Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTAndy Gould, The Motley FoolFri, July 3, 2026 at 11:55 PM GMT+2 4 min readThe Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (NYSEMKT:VBR) provides low-cost exposure to small-cap value stocks, while the iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEMKT:IJJ) offers a similar value focus but targets the mid-cap segment of the market.Both funds use passive, index-tracking strategies to find companies trading at a discount relative to their fundamentals. The choice between them often comes down to an investor's preference for the relative stability of mid-cap stocks versus the greater diversification -- and greater volatility -- that comes with small-caps.Snapshot (cost & size)MetricIJJVBRIssueriSharesVanguardExpense ratio0.18%0.05%1-year return (as of July 2, 2026)17.17%23.61%Dividend yield1.65%1.76%Beta1.021.01AUM$8.5 billion$65.5 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-year return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.VBR is the cheaper option for long-term investors, thanks to its 0.05% expense ratio -- well below IJJ's 0.18%. It also offers a higher payout for income-focused investors, with a 1.76% dividend yield compared to IJJ's 1.65%.Performance & risk comparisonMetricIJJVBRMax drawdown (5 yr)(22.67%)(24.19%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)$1,520$1,549What's insideLaunched in 2004, VBR tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index and holds 835 stocks. Its top sectors are financial services at 17.5%, industrials at 17.4%, and consumer cyclical at 12.5%. Its largest positions include Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) at 1.3%, Jabil (NYSE:JBL) at 0.8%, and Tapestry (NYSE:TPR) at 0.7%.Launched in 2000, IJJ tracks the S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index, holding 299 stocks. It leans slightly more heavily into its top three sectors, with financial services at 21.4%, industrials at 18.7%, and consumer cyclical at 13.9%. Top holdings include Alcoa (NYSE:AA) at 1.2%, TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX) at 1.2%, and Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS) at 1.2%.For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.What this means for investorsBoth of these funds are chasing the same basic idea -- buying good businesses that the market is pricing at a discount -- but they're fishing in different ponds. VBR's small-cap focus means investors are betting on companies that are earlier in their growth cycle and haven't yet caught Wall Street's full attention. That typically comes with more volatility, but also more room to run. IJJ's mid-cap tilt provides exposure to businesses that are generally more established and, in theory, a bit steadier through market swings.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info