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IWO iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

Category: Small Cap Growth Equities

Inception: 2000-07-24 Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.
Net Assets
$10.8B
Expense Ratio
0.24 %
# of Holdings
1
Average Daily Volume
487K

Fund Overview

The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) is designed to track the investment results of the Russell 2000 Growth Index, which measures the performance of small-capitalization U.S. equities exhibiting growth characteristics. The fund provides exposure to fast-growing small-cap companies, which can offer higher growth potential compared to larger, more established firms. IWO is a popular choice for investors seeking diversification within the small-cap growth segment of the market. The ETF is widely traded and offers liquidity, making it accessible for both individual and institutional investors.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
Yes
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 0.47 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
34 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the IWO ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Exposure to high-growth small-cap companies with potential for significant capital appreciation.
  • Diversification across a broad range of sectors within the small-cap growth universe.
  • Liquidity and ease of trading due to the ETF's structure and popularity.
  • Lower expense ratio compared to actively managed small-cap growth funds.
  • Potential to outperform large-cap stocks during economic expansions.

Potential Risks

  • Higher volatility compared to large-cap or value-oriented ETFs due to the nature of small-cap growth stocks.
  • Sensitivity to economic downturns, as small-cap companies may face greater financial stress.
  • Limited international exposure, as the fund focuses solely on U.S. equities.
  • Potential underperformance during periods when value stocks outperform growth stocks.
  • Concentration risk in certain sectors that dominate the small-cap growth space.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
+0.90% -4.29% +10.54% +66.71% +27.13% +10.50% +12.52% +16.13% +465.73%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +4.1% -0.3% -6.4% +14.7% +5.8% +3.6% -5.9% +1.7% -5.2% +1.0% - -
2025 +3.2% -6.8% -7.5% -0.8% +6.3% +6.1% +1.5% +6.0% +4.1% +3.3% -0.8% -1.3%
2024 -3.1% +8.0% +2.7% -7.6% +5.3% -0.3% +8.2% -1.1% +1.3% -1.3% +12.5% -8.4%
2023 +10.0% -1.2% -2.5% -1.2% +0.2% +8.2% +4.7% -5.3% -6.7% -7.7% +9.1% +11.9%
2022 -13.4% +0.6% +0.3% -12.2% -1.8% -6.3% +11.3% -0.9% -9.0% +9.5% +1.4% -6.3%
2021 +4.8% +3.1% -2.8% +2.0% -2.8% +4.6% -3.7% +1.9% -3.8% +4.7% -5.0% +0.4%
2020 -1.0% -7.1% -19.6% +15.3% +9.4% +3.9% +3.5% +5.8% -2.1% +0.7% +17.7% +9.3%
2019 +11.6% +6.5% -1.3% +3.0% -7.4% +7.3% +1.3% -4.3% -0.8% +3.0% +5.8% +2.3%
2018 +3.8% -2.8% +1.3% +0.2% +6.2% +0.7% +1.7% +6.2% -2.2% -12.6% +1.5% -11.7%
2017 +1.5% +2.6% +1.1% +1.9% -0.8% +3.3% +1.0% -0.1% +5.5% +1.5% +2.8% +0.2%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
SFM SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET INC 1.4 %
INSM INSMED INC 1.1 %
FTAI FTAI AVIATION LTD 0.9 %
AIT APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC 0.7 %
CRS CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP 0.7 %
HALO HALOZYME THERAPEUTICS INC 0.7 %
MLI MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC 0.7 %
BECN BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY INC CLASS A 0.7 %
ENSG ENSIGN GROUP INC 0.7 %
EXLS EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS INC 0.6 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 1 total holdings.

Related ETFs: IWO vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF 0.25 % $8.5B 990 Equity
IJS iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF 0.18 % $6.4B 462 Equity
IJT iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF 0.18 % $5.8B 340 Equity
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF 0.19 % $63.9B 1 Equity
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF 0.24 % $10.9B 1 Equity
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF 0.04 % $15.9B 1 Equity
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF 0.15 % $3.3B 340 Equity
VBK Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF 0.07 % $33.7B 592 Equity
VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF 0.07 % $53.6B 836 Equity
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF 0.10 % $820.3M 341 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) seeks to track the performance of the Russell 2000 Growth Index, a market-cap-weighted index of small-cap U.S. stocks with growth characteristics. The index selects companies based on factors such as higher price-to-book ratios and stronger forecasted growth rates. IWO primarily holds common stocks of these small-cap growth companies and is passively managed, meaning it aims to replicate the index rather than outperform it. The fund is rebalanced periodically to align with the index's composition, typically on a quarterly basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IWO and IWM?

IWO tracks the Russell 2000 Growth Index, focusing on small-cap growth stocks, while IWM tracks the broader Russell 2000 Index, which includes both growth and value small-cap stocks.

How often is IWO rebalanced?

IWO is rebalanced periodically, typically on a quarterly basis, to align with the Russell 2000 Growth Index's composition.

What sectors are most represented in IWO?

IWO has significant exposure to sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary, which are common in the small-cap growth universe.

Is IWO suitable for long-term investors?

Yes, IWO can be suitable for long-term investors seeking growth potential, but it should be balanced with other investments to manage risk due to its volatility.

Industry Overview

The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) is part of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity market. Small-cap growth stocks are known for their potential to deliver outsized returns, as these companies are often in the early stages of their growth trajectories. However, they also come with higher risk due to their size and sensitivity to economic conditions. Investing in IWO allows investors to tap into the dynamic small-cap growth sector, which can be a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio. The Russell 2000 Growth Index, which IWO tracks, includes companies with higher price-to-book ratios and stronger earnings growth prospects.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to its peers, such as the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK), IWO offers a more targeted exposure to small-cap growth stocks. While IWM provides broad small-cap exposure, IWO focuses specifically on growth-oriented companies, which may appeal to investors seeking higher growth potential. VBK, another small-cap growth ETF, has a similar objective but may differ slightly in its index methodology and expense ratio. IWO's competitive expense ratio and liquidity make it a strong contender in the small-cap growth space.

Issuer Overview

iShares, a division of BlackRock, is one of the largest and most reputable ETF providers globally. Known for its extensive range of index-tracking ETFs, iShares offers investors low-cost, transparent, and liquid investment options. BlackRock's robust infrastructure and expertise in asset management ensure that IWO and other iShares ETFs are well-managed and closely aligned with their respective benchmarks.

Conclusion

The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) is a compelling option for investors looking to gain exposure to small-cap growth stocks in the U.S. market. With its focus on high-growth companies, diversification benefits, and low-cost structure, IWO can serve as a valuable component of a growth-oriented investment strategy. However, investors should be mindful of the higher volatility and risks associated with small-cap equities.

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