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IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Category: Small Cap Blend Equities

Inception: 2000-05-22 Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.
Net Assets
$78.4B
Expense Ratio
0.06 %
# of Holdings
604
Average Daily Volume
5.35M

Fund Overview

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is designed to track the investment results of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which measures the performance of small-capitalization U.S. equities. The fund provides exposure to 600 small-cap companies, offering investors a diversified portfolio within this segment of the market. Small-cap stocks are known for their growth potential, though they can be more volatile than their large-cap counterparts. IJR is a popular choice for investors seeking long-term growth and diversification within the U.S. equity market. The fund is widely recognized for its low expense ratio and liquidity, making it an efficient tool for gaining small-cap exposure.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 1.62 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
25 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the IJR ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Provides diversified exposure to 600 small-cap U.S. stocks, reducing single-stock risk.
  • Low expense ratio makes it a cost-effective option for small-cap investing.
  • Historically, small-cap stocks have outperformed large-cap stocks over long periods.
  • High liquidity allows for easy entry and exit for investors.
  • Passively managed, reducing the risk of underperformance due to active management decisions.

Potential Risks

  • Small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap stocks, leading to higher price swings.
  • Economic downturns can disproportionately affect small-cap companies due to their limited resources.
  • Sector concentration risk, as small-cap indices may be weighted towards certain industries.
  • Interest rate sensitivity, as small-cap companies often rely on borrowing for growth.
  • Limited international exposure, as the fund focuses solely on U.S. equities.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
0.00% -3.93% +17.06% +55.67% +34.75% +14.76% +6.12% +9.17% +1100.97%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +5.7% +2.1% -4.0% +10.3% +1.1% +7.3% -1.9% -0.6% -4.1% 0.0% - -
2025 +2.8% -5.6% -6.2% -4.2% +5.2% +4.1% +0.9% +7.0% +1.0% -0.9% +2.6% -0.1%
2024 -3.9% +3.2% +3.3% -5.5% +5.0% -2.4% +11.0% -1.6% +0.8% -2.6% +11.1% -8.1%
2023 +9.5% -1.2% -5.2% -2.8% -1.7% +8.2% +5.5% -4.2% -5.9% -5.8% +8.3% +12.8%
2022 -7.2% +1.4% +0.3% -7.8% +1.9% -8.5% +9.9% -4.3% -9.8% +12.3% +4.0% -6.7%
2021 +6.2% +7.7% +3.5% +1.9% +2.1% +0.3% -2.4% +1.9% -2.4% +3.5% -2.4% +4.5%
2020 -4.0% -9.6% -22.6% +12.9% +4.4% +3.6% +4.3% +3.9% -4.6% +2.5% +18.2% +8.2%
2019 +10.6% +4.3% -3.3% +3.9% -8.7% +7.3% +1.2% -4.6% +3.4% +2.0% +3.0% +3.0%
2018 +2.5% -3.8% +2.0% +1.1% +6.5% +1.0% +3.2% +4.8% -3.1% -10.5% +1.6% -12.2%
2017 -0.6% +1.6% -0.1% +0.9% -2.1% +2.9% +1.0% -2.5% +7.8% +0.9% +3.5% -0.5%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
COOP MR. COOPER GROUP INC 0.7 %
CORT CORCEPT THERAPEUTICS INC 0.6 %
TFX TELEFLEX INC 0.5 %
EAT BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC 0.5 %
SPXC SPX TECHNOLOGIES INC 0.5 %
AWI ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES INC 0.5 %
BWA BORGWARNER INC 0.5 %
EPRT ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES REALTY TRUST INC 0.5 %
JXN JACKSON FINANCIAL INC 0.5 %
LRN STRIDE INC 0.5 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 604 total holdings.

Related ETFs: IJR vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF 0.27 % $9.2B 2 Equity
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF 0.25 % $8.5B 990 Equity
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF 0.19 % $63.9B 1 Equity
PSC Principal U.S. Small-Cap ETF 0.38 % $702.6M 490 Equity
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF 0.04 % $15.9B 1 Equity
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF 0.03 % $11B 605 Equity
VB Vanguard Small Cap ETF 0.05 % $143.4B 1 Equity
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF 0.07 % $4.2B 602 Equity
XSMO Invesco S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF 0.39 % $1.4B 118 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) seeks to track the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, a market-cap-weighted index that includes 600 small-cap U.S. stocks. The index methodology focuses on companies that meet specific liquidity and financial viability criteria, ensuring investability. IJR employs a passive management strategy, meaning it aims to replicate the index rather than outperform it. The fund primarily holds common stocks of small-cap companies and is rebalanced quarterly to align with the index's composition. This approach minimizes turnover and keeps costs low for investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What index does IJR track?

IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which includes 600 small-cap U.S. stocks selected for liquidity and financial viability.

How does IJR differ from IWM?

IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while IWM follows the Russell 2000 Index. The S&P SmallCap 600 has stricter inclusion criteria, potentially leading to a different risk-return profile.

What is the expense ratio of IJR?

IJR has a low expense ratio of 0.06%, making it one of the most cost-effective small-cap ETFs available.

Is IJR suitable for long-term investing?

Yes, IJR can be a good long-term investment for those seeking growth through small-cap stocks, though investors should be prepared for higher volatility.

Does IJR pay dividends?

Yes, IJR pays quarterly dividends, as many of the small-cap companies in its holdings distribute earnings to shareholders.

Industry Overview

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) provides exposure to the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Small-cap companies, typically defined as those with market capitalizations between $300 million and $2 billion, are often in earlier growth stages and can offer higher growth potential compared to large-cap stocks. However, they also come with increased volatility and business risk. Investing in small-cap stocks can be a strategic way to diversify a portfolio and capture the growth of emerging companies. IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which is designed to represent the small-cap universe while maintaining liquidity and investability.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to its closest peer, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), IJR offers a more concentrated exposure to small-cap stocks with the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which has stricter liquidity and profitability requirements than the Russell 2000. This can result in a slightly different risk-return profile. Another alternative, the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB), tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which includes more stocks than IJR but may have higher exposure to micro-caps. IJR stands out for its lower expense ratio compared to many actively managed small-cap funds, making it a cost-efficient choice for passive investors.

Issuer Overview

iShares, a subsidiary of BlackRock, is the largest ETF provider globally, known for its extensive range of low-cost, passively managed funds. The firm is a leader in index-tracking ETFs and has a strong reputation for liquidity, transparency, and investor trust. iShares ETFs, including IJR, are widely used by both individual and institutional investors for their reliability and efficiency.

Conclusion

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is a well-regarded option for investors seeking diversified exposure to U.S. small-cap stocks. Its low expense ratio, broad diversification, and passive management approach make it an attractive choice for long-term growth. While small-cap investing carries inherent risks, IJR provides a balanced way to participate in this segment of the market. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon when adding IJR to their portfolios.

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