SPSM and IJR Own Identical Portfolios. Here's Why the Choice Still Matters.
Key takeaways
- Both funds target the S&P Small Cap 600 Index, providing exposure to profitable small-cap U.S. companies.
- Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns.
- The State Street fund is more affordable with a 0.03% expense ratio, saving investors three dollars per $10,000 invested annually compared to the iShares fund.
Sara Appino, The Motley Fool Mon, May 11, 2026 at 9:05 PM GMT+7 4 min read ^SP600 IJR ^GSPC The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (NYSEMKT:SPSM) offers a lower-cost entry to small caps, while the i Shares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT:IJR) provides superior liquidity and historical longevity.
Both funds target the S&P Small Cap 600 Index, providing exposure to profitable small-cap U.S. companies. While they share the same underlying index and risk profiles, investors typically choose between them based on subtle differences in expense ratios, trading volume, and assets under management (AUM).
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.