Miami, Florida – Investors looking for small-cap growth opportunities may find the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) to be a compelling option. Since its inception in 2000, this ETF has been tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, offering exposure to over 1000 holdings with a focus on high-growth companies.

Despite a slightly higher expense ratio compared to its competitor, the Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG), IWO has shown a marginally better 10-year return, indicating lower tracking error. Additionally, IWO boasts higher assets under management and significantly higher dollar trading volumes, making it a popular choice among investors.

According to analysis from FTSE Russell, the underlying index of IWO selects stocks with higher price-to-book ratios, projected earnings growth, and historical sales growth. This strategy has resulted in a portfolio heavily weighted towards the technology and healthcare sectors, outperforming the parent index in terms of growth metrics.

The top 10 holdings in the IWO portfolio represent 9.6% of asset value, with the largest holding weighing in at 3%, indicating a well-diversified portfolio with low individual company risk. Furthermore, IWO’s higher valuation ratios and impressive growth metrics set it apart from its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index.

In terms of performance, IWO has slightly lagged behind its benchmark since inception but has shown better performance over the last 10 years. When compared to other small-cap growth ETFs, IWO stands out as the most liquid fund with significant assets under management, despite its higher fee.

While IWO has shown solid performance over the years, recent data indicates that it has underperformed its competitors since 2016. This trend, coupled with its performance in the trailing 12 months, may raise concerns among investors looking for consistent growth.

Overall, iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) offers exposure to a diverse range of high-growth small-cap stocks, making it an attractive option for investors seeking growth opportunities. However, its recent underperformance compared to peers may warrant further consideration before making investment decisions.