iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

IJR

Market cap $85.1B

As the Federal Reserve's rate cuts become more likely to begin in September, investors may shift their focus back to U.S. small-cap ETFs. Many of these funds have been out of favor in 2025, as large-cap counterparts have captured significant investor attention.

The Fed's recent rate decision has led us to form a higher-for-longer interest rate outlook. We see a few reasons that could help IJR better navigate the interest rate uncertainties ahead than IWM. The top ones are its avoidance of microcaps and more attractive valuation judging by yield.

If you're interested in broad exposure to the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, look no further than the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 05/22/2000.

Small business owners grew more optimistic in May, reflecting improved expectations for business conditions and sales, according to the latest data from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The latest data revealed that the small business optimism index climbed to 98.8 in May, up from 95.8 in April.

Driven by high valuations and rising treasury rates after the U.S. credit downgrade, SPDR® S&P 500 ETF Trust's valuation risk is among the highest level since the dot-com bubble. Small-cap ETF such iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF offers a more attractive risk/return profile. IJR's current yield spread over SPY is at a multi-decade high, and its valuation discount is compelling relative to its own historical level too.

IJR could offer a compelling mean reversion trade, capitalizing on the unusually wide small-cap premium and valuation gap versus large caps. This is because IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600, which better selects profitable small caps. And because the forward P/E of profitable small-cap companies is lower than that of unprofitable ones, signaling in my opinion, a technical inconsistency in favor of the S&P 600.

Looking for broad exposure to the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market? You should consider the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 05/22/2000.

The small-cap index records its biggest weekly gain since November. We highlight five top-ranked ETFs to tap the current momentum.

Jim Lebenthal, chief equity strategist at Cerity Partners, joins CNBC's 'Halftime Report' to explain why he's selling the small-cap ETF.

Small caps stocks with mostly domestic revenue exposure sounds like a good idea, but it is not nearly ready to be buyable for me. There's still no urgent demand for these stocks after years of underperformance versus larger companies. I rate IJR a sell, though I prefer it to IWM and the disappointing CALF.