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IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF

Category: Mid Cap Blend Equities

Inception: 2001-07-17 Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.
Net Assets
$38.3B
Expense Ratio
0.19 %
# of Holdings
809
Average Daily Volume
1.89M

Fund Overview

The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) is designed to track the investment results of the Russell Midcap Index, which measures the performance of mid-sized U.S. companies. These companies typically have market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, offering investors exposure to a segment of the market that combines the growth potential of smaller companies with the stability of larger firms. The ETF provides diversified exposure across various sectors, including industrials, technology, healthcare, and financials, making it a core holding for investors seeking balanced mid-cap exposure. IWR is known for its liquidity and low expense ratio, making it an attractive option for both individual and institutional investors.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 1.46 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
9 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the IWR ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Provides diversified exposure to mid-cap U.S. stocks, balancing growth and stability.
  • Low expense ratio compared to many actively managed mid-cap funds.
  • Highly liquid, with tight bid-ask spreads, making it easy to trade.
  • Tracks a well-established index (Russell Midcap Index) with transparent methodology.
  • Offers sector diversification, reducing concentration risk.

Potential Risks

  • Mid-cap stocks can be more volatile than large-cap stocks, leading to higher price swings.
  • Sensitive to economic cycles, as mid-cap companies may lack the resilience of larger firms during downturns.
  • Index-tracking approach means the fund may underperform during periods when active management excels.
  • Limited international exposure, as the fund focuses solely on U.S. mid-cap stocks.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
+2.21% -0.85% +14.13% +66.56% +48.32% +13.64% +10.50% +15.85% +976.89%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +3.0% +3.8% -5.3% +7.3% +2.9% +3.0% -0.6% +1.8% -4.2% +2.8% - -
2025 +4.2% -2.8% -4.6% -1.1% +5.7% +3.7% +1.9% +2.5% +0.8% -0.8% +1.2% -0.3%
2024 -1.4% +5.5% +4.3% -5.3% +2.9% -0.8% +4.8% +2.0% +2.2% -0.5% +8.9% -7.1%
2023 +8.3% -2.5% -1.4% -0.6% -2.8% +8.3% +3.9% -3.5% -5.0% -5.0% +10.2% +7.7%
2022 -7.4% -0.7% +2.5% -7.8% +0.1% -10.0% +9.8% -3.1% -9.2% +8.8% +6.0% -5.4%
2021 -0.3% +5.6% +2.7% +5.1% +0.8% +1.4% +0.8% +2.5% -4.1% +6.0% -3.5% +4.1%
2020 -0.8% -8.5% -19.7% +14.3% +7.2% +1.6% +5.9% +3.5% -2.0% +0.6% +13.8% +4.7%
2019 +10.6% +4.4% +0.9% +3.7% -6.1% +6.7% +1.5% -2.9% +2.0% +1.1% +3.6% +2.2%
2018 +3.7% -4.1% 0.0% -0.2% +2.3% +0.7% +2.5% +3.1% -0.6% -8.3% +2.5% -9.9%
2017 +2.4% +2.8% -0.2% +0.8% +0.9% +0.9% +1.5% -0.8% +2.8% +1.6% +3.4% +0.9%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
PLTR n/a 1.6 %
AJG ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO 0.8 %
WMB WILLIAMS COMPANIES INC 0.7 %
APP APPLOVIN CORP ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A 0.6 %
MSTR STRATEGY CLASS A 0.6 %
AFL AFLAC INC 0.6 %
BK BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP 0.5 %
OKE ONEOK INC 0.5 %
KMI KINDER MORGAN INC CLASS P 0.5 %
ALL ALLSTATE CORP 0.5 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 809 total holdings.

Related ETFs: IWR vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF 0.05 % $89.4B 402 Equity
IVOO Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF 0.07 % $3.9B 401 Equity
MDY SPDR S&P Midcap 400 ETF Trust 0.24 % $22B 402 Equity
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF 0.04 % $10.7B 497 Equity
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF 0.04 % $175.2B 319 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) seeks to track the performance of the Russell Midcap Index, a market-cap-weighted index comprising approximately 800 mid-sized U.S. companies. The index methodology ensures that larger mid-cap stocks have a greater influence on the fund's performance. IWR primarily holds common stocks of these mid-cap companies, providing direct exposure to their performance. The fund is rebalanced quarterly to align with the index's composition, ensuring it remains representative of the mid-cap market segment. This passive approach minimizes turnover and trading costs, contributing to the fund's low expense ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expense ratio of IWR?

IWR has an expense ratio of 0.19%, which is competitive compared to many other mid-cap ETFs.

How often is IWR rebalanced?

IWR is rebalanced quarterly to align with the Russell Midcap Index's composition.

Does IWR pay dividends?

Yes, IWR pays dividends quarterly, as it holds dividend-paying mid-cap stocks.

How does IWR differ from large-cap or small-cap ETFs?

IWR focuses on mid-cap stocks, which are generally larger and more stable than small-caps but offer more growth potential than large-caps.

Is IWR suitable for long-term investing?

Yes, IWR can be a core holding for long-term investors seeking diversified mid-cap exposure with low costs.

Industry Overview

The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) provides exposure to the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity market, which is often considered a 'sweet spot' for investors. Mid-cap companies are typically more established than small-caps but still have significant growth potential compared to large-caps. This segment tends to perform well during economic expansions but may face challenges during downturns. Investing in mid-caps through IWR allows investors to tap into companies that are often in a phase of rapid growth and innovation, while still offering some level of stability. The Russell Midcap Index, which IWR tracks, is a market-cap-weighted index, ensuring larger mid-cap companies have a proportionally greater impact on performance.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to its peers, such as IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF), IWR offers broader exposure with its inclusion of approximately 800 mid-cap stocks, whereas IJH tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index, which includes only 400 stocks. VO, on the other hand, tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, which uses a different methodology for selecting mid-cap stocks. IWR's expense ratio is competitive, though slightly higher than VO's. Unlike some actively managed mid-cap funds, IWR's passive approach ensures lower costs and consistent tracking of its benchmark.

Issuer Overview

iShares, a subsidiary of BlackRock, is the largest ETF provider globally, known for its extensive range of index-tracking funds. With a reputation for low-cost, transparent, and liquid ETFs, iShares has become a trusted name among investors. The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) is part of their core lineup, offering investors efficient access to mid-cap equities.

Conclusion

The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) is a solid choice for investors seeking diversified exposure to the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Its low expense ratio, liquidity, and broad index coverage make it an attractive core holding for long-term portfolios. While mid-cap stocks can be volatile, IWR's diversified approach helps mitigate some of this risk, offering a balance between growth potential and stability.

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