ETF Versus

HDV vs IJR

iShares Core High Dividend ETF vs iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-02

HDV iShares

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 2.96%. Launched in 2011, the fund has a 15-year track record.

AUM: $13.5B ER: 0.08% Yield: 2.96% Since: Mar 29, 2011
IJR iShares

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to small-cap U.S. equities with higher growth potential and volatility. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.06%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.28%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.

AUM: $90.2B ER: 0.06% Yield: 1.28% Since: May 22, 2000

Quick Verdict

IJR has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.06% vs 0.08%), saving about $40 per $10,000 over 10 years. Over the past year, IJR has significantly outperformed with a 19.2% return vs 11.2%. Income investors may prefer HDV for its higher yield (3.0% vs 1.3%).

Key Metrics

Metric HDV IJR
Expense Ratio 0.08% 0.06%
Dividend Yield 3.0% 1.3%
Fund Family iShares iShares
Category US Dividend US Small Cap

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

75 89 103 117 131 145 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
HDV +39.8%
IJR +13.0%

Performance Comparison

Period HDV IJR Difference
1 Month -4.43% -4.33% -0.10%
3 Months +9.57% +2.92% +6.65%
6 Months +9.49% +4.03% +5.46%
YTD +9.57% +2.92% +6.65%
1 Year +11.17% +19.20% -8.03%
3 Years +30.22% +29.06% +1.16%
5 Years +39.76% +12.98% +26.78%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period HDV Fees IJR Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $159 $120 $40
$10.000 20 years $686 $515 $171
$10.000 30 years $2.212 $1.664 $549
$50.000 10 years $797 $598 $199
$50.000 30 years $11.061 $8.318 $2.743
$100.000 30 years $22.123 $16.637 $5.486

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric HDV IJR
Annualized Volatility 13.0% 21.6%
Max Drawdown -16.9% -28.9%
Sharpe Ratio 0.24 0.01

Dividend Comparison

Metric HDV IJR
Annual Dividend (per share) $3.96 $1.60
Dividend Yield 2.96% 1.28%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Quarterly

Top Holdings

0 of top 10 holdings overlap (0% overlap in top holdings)

HDV Top Holdings

NameWeight
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM9.48%
Chevron CorporationCVX7.13%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ6.04%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV5.48%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG4.40%
Philip Morris International Inc.PM4.20%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK4.20%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD4.05%
The Progressive CorporationPGR3.80%
The Coca-Cola CompanyKO3.77%

IJR Top Holdings

NameWeight
BLK CSH FND TREASURY SL AGENCYXTSLA1.37%
Eastman Chemical CompanyEMN0.54%
Viavi Solutions Inc.VIAV0.53%
Argan, Inc.AGX0.52%
Primoris Services CorporationPRIM0.52%
FormFactor, Inc.FORM0.51%
Element Solutions IncESI0.51%
LKQ CorporationLKQ0.50%
SM Energy CompanySM0.49%
ESCO Technologies Inc.ESE0.48%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose IJR if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose IJR if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Choose HDV if...

you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.

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