Small Cap ETFs

Small-cap ETFs invest in companies with relatively small market capitalizations, typically between $300 million and $2 billion. Small-cap stocks have historically offered higher long-term returns than large-cap stocks, compensating investors for the additional volatility and risk. These ETFs provide diversified exposure to hundreds or thousands of small companies, reducing the risk of any single stock dragging down returns.

The most popular small-cap ETFs include IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF), the most liquid and heavily traded small-cap fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF), which covers a broader small-cap universe at a very low expense ratio, and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF), which tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 with a quality screen that filters out unprofitable companies.

Small-cap ETFs are suited for investors with longer time horizons who can tolerate higher volatility in exchange for potential outperformance. Small-cap stocks tend to be more domestically focused, making them less sensitive to global trade disruptions but more tied to the U.S. economy. IJR's S&P 600 benchmark applies profitability requirements, which has historically led to better risk-adjusted returns compared to the Russell 2000. Consider your benchmark preference and cost sensitivity when choosing among these funds.