The State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF (SLYV 1.48%) and iShares SP Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ 1.55%) aim to capture the performance of U.S. value stocks, but SLYV emphasizes smaller companies and IJJ focuses on the mid-cap segment, leading to notable differences in returns, risk, and sector mix.
Their distinct size focuses can make a material difference for investors. This comparison highlights how the two ETFs stack up on costs, recent performance, risk, liquidity, and what is inside each portfolio.
Snapshot (cost & size)
| Metric | SLYV | IJJ |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | SPDR | iShares |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.18% |
| 1-yr return (as of 2026-02-04) | 13.3% | 9.8% |
| Dividend yield | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| AUM | $4.5 billion | $8.5 billion |
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.
SLYV is slightly more affordable, with a lower expense ratio and a modestly higher dividend yield compared to IJJ, which may appeal to cost-conscious or income-focused investors.
Performance & risk comparison
| Metric | SLYV | IJJ |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown (5 y) | -28.68% | -22.68% |
| Growth of $1,000 over 5 years | $1,357 | $1,528 |
What's inside
IJJ tracks a mid-cap value index and holds 305 stocks, with a portfolio age of over 25 years. Its sector allocation leans heavily toward financial services (25%), followed by industrials (17%) and consumer cyclicals (14%). Top holdings include U.S. Foods Holding(USFD +1.52%) at 1.19%, Reliance Steel & Aluminum(RS 2.79%) at 1.07%, and Alcoa(AA 0.66%) at 0.97%, suggesting broad diversification. There are no notable quirks or additional overlays.
SLYV, in contrast, draws from the small-cap value universe and spreads its exposure across 460 holdings. Its sector mix is more evenly distributed, with financial services (21%), consumer cyclicals (18%), and industrials (14%) as key areas. Top positions include Eastman Chemical(EMN +4.08%), LKQ Corp.(LKQ 2.94%), and Jackson Financial(JXN 2.39%), each under 1.2% of assets, echoing a similar diversification approach but at a smaller company scale.
For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.
What this means for investors
Both the State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF (SLYV) and the iShares SP Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) seek to deliver strong returns by targeting undervalued stocks, and provide exposure to smaller companies, helping to round out an investment portfolio. The choice between the two comes down primarily to an investor’s appetite for risk.
SLYV offers greater growth potential through its focus on small-cap stocks, as demonstrated by its higher one-year return compared to IJJ. That said, the fund entails a larger degree of volatility. This can be seen in its higher max drawdown versus IJJ, and its higher beta of 1.22 compared to IJJ’s 1.12. However, it offers a lower expense ratio and better dividend yield.
IJJ is for investors who like the greater stability of mid-cap stocks. This segment historically delivers a balance between the growth potential of small caps and the lower volatility of large caps. Its larger assets under management compared to SLYV provides greater liquidity as well.
