iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR)

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is a publicly traded company trading at $127.24 with a market cap of 89B. It holds a moderate AI score of 52/100 based on fundamental, technical, and sentiment analysis.

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) seeks to replicate the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. It provides investors with diversified exposure to small-cap stocks, offering potential growth opportunities.

46/100 AI Score MCap 89B Vol 6M

Company Overview

IJR offers investors diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market, tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 index with a low expense ratio. It is a core holding for those seeking long-term capital appreciation through exposure to smaller, high-growth potential companies, with a current market capitalization of $93.98B.

Investment Thesis

IJR presents a compelling investment opportunity for investors seeking exposure to the high-growth potential of the U.S. small-cap market. With a beta of 1.19, IJR offers the potential for higher returns compared to broader market indices, albeit with increased volatility. The fund's strategy of replicating the S&P SmallCap 600 Index provides diversified exposure to a wide range of sectors and industries within the small-cap space. As the U.S. economy continues to recover and expand, small-cap companies are poised to benefit from increased domestic demand and favorable business conditions. Furthermore, IJR's low expense ratio makes it a cost-effective way to access this market segment, enhancing its appeal to long-term investors. The absence of a dividend yield is offset by the potential for capital appreciation, making IJR a suitable choice for growth-oriented portfolios.

Key Highlights

  • Market Cap of $93.98B, reflecting substantial investor interest in small-cap exposure.
  • Beta of 1.19, indicating higher volatility and potential for greater returns compared to the broader market.
  • Tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, providing diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market.
  • Expense ratio offers a cost-effective way to access the small-cap market segment.
  • Absence of dividend yield, making it suitable for growth-oriented investors focused on capital appreciation.

Competitors

Strengths

  • Diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market.
  • Low expense ratio.
  • High liquidity.
  • Strong brand recognition.

Weaknesses

  • Higher volatility compared to large-cap ETFs.
  • Absence of dividend yield.
  • Potential for underperformance during periods of economic slowdown.
  • Susceptibility to market fluctuations.

Catalysts

  • Upcoming: Potential for small-cap outperformance as the U.S. economy recovers.
  • Ongoing: Continued adoption of ETFs as investment vehicles.
  • Ongoing: Innovation and technological advancements within the small-cap sector.
  • Upcoming: Strategic acquisitions and mergers involving small-cap companies.

Risks

  • Potential: Higher volatility compared to large-cap ETFs.
  • Potential: Market downturns.
  • Ongoing: Increased competition from other ETFs.
  • Potential: Changes in investor sentiment.
  • Ongoing: Susceptibility to market fluctuations.

Growth Opportunities

  • Increased Adoption of ETFs: The growing popularity of ETFs as investment vehicles presents a significant growth opportunity for IJR. As more investors seek low-cost, diversified exposure to specific market segments, the demand for ETFs like IJR is expected to increase. The global ETF market is projected to reach trillions in assets under management by 2030, offering substantial potential for IJR to attract new capital and expand its asset base.
  • Small-Cap Outperformance: Historically, small-cap stocks have outperformed large-cap stocks over long periods, offering investors the potential for higher returns. As investors recognize this potential, they may allocate a greater portion of their portfolios to small-cap ETFs like IJR. This trend could drive increased demand for IJR and contribute to its long-term growth.
  • Economic Recovery and Expansion: Small-cap companies are often more sensitive to economic cycles than large-cap companies. As the U.S. economy recovers and expands, small-cap companies are poised to benefit from increased domestic demand and favorable business conditions. This could lead to improved financial performance for the companies held in IJR's portfolio, driving its overall returns.
  • Innovation and Technological Advancements: Small-cap companies are often at the forefront of innovation and technological advancements. By investing in IJR, investors gain exposure to these innovative companies, which have the potential to disrupt existing industries and create new markets. This exposure to innovation could drive long-term growth for IJR and its investors.
  • Strategic Acquisitions and Mergers: Small-cap companies are often attractive targets for strategic acquisitions and mergers by larger companies. When a company held in IJR's portfolio is acquired, it can result in a significant increase in the value of IJR's holdings. This potential for strategic acquisitions and mergers adds another layer of growth potential for IJR.

Opportunities

  • Increased adoption of ETFs.
  • Small-cap outperformance.
  • Economic recovery and expansion.
  • Innovation and technological advancements.

Threats

  • Increased competition from other ETFs.
  • Market downturns.
  • Changes in investor sentiment.
  • Regulatory changes.

Competitive Advantages

  • Low expense ratio, making it a cost-competitive option for investors.
  • Strong brand recognition as part of the iShares family of ETFs.
  • High liquidity, allowing investors to easily buy and sell shares.
  • Diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market, reducing risk.

About

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is designed to provide investors with a convenient and cost-effective way to access the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. The fund aims to replicate the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which represents approximately 3% of the total U.S. equity market. Launched with the goal of offering broad market exposure, IJR has become a core holding in many portfolios, particularly for investors seeking long-term growth. The ETF invests primarily in the component securities of its underlying index, holding at least 80% of its assets in these stocks. The remaining portion may be allocated to futures, options, swap contracts, and cash equivalents, allowing for efficient portfolio management and replication of the index's performance. IJR's strategy focuses on mirroring the returns of the small-cap market, providing diversification across various sectors and industries within this segment. By investing in IJR, investors gain exposure to a wide array of smaller companies with significant growth potential, making it a valuable tool for portfolio diversification and long-term investment strategies.

What They Do

  • Tracks the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
  • Provides diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap equity market.
  • Invests primarily in the component securities of its underlying index.
  • Offers a cost-effective way to access the small-cap market segment.
  • Replicates the returns of the small-cap market.
  • Provides diversification across various sectors and industries within the small-cap segment.

Business Model

  • Generates revenue through management fees charged to investors.
  • Aims to replicate the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
  • Trades like a stock on major exchanges, providing liquidity for investors.

Industry Context

IJR operates within the asset management industry, specifically focusing on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track market indices. The ETF market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing investor demand for low-cost, diversified investment products. IJR competes with other small-cap ETFs and broader market ETFs, such as EFA, IJH, ITOT, IVW and IWD. The competitive landscape is characterized by a focus on expense ratios, tracking accuracy, and liquidity. As the U.S. economy continues to evolve, the small-cap segment is expected to play a crucial role in driving innovation and growth, making IJR a relevant and attractive investment option for investors seeking exposure to this dynamic market segment.

Key Customers

  • Individual investors seeking diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market.
  • Institutional investors looking for a cost-effective way to access the small-cap segment.
  • Financial advisors who use IJR as a core holding in client portfolios.
AI Confidence: 90% Updated: 3/3/2026

Financials

Chart & Info

Price Chart

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) stock price: $127.24 (+0.72, +0.57%)

Why Bull

  • •Recent insider buying suggests confidence in small-cap recovery, reflecting a positive outlook on economic growth.
  • •Community sentiment has shifted towards optimism, with discussions highlighting small-cap stocks benefiting from inflationary pressures.
  • •Market perception is buoyed by strong earnings reports from several small-cap companies, indicating robust underlying fundamentals.
  • •The ETF's diversification across sectors provides a cushion against volatility, appealing to investors seeking stability.

Why Bear

  • •Concerns over rising interest rates have led to bearish sentiment, as small-cap stocks are typically more sensitive to borrowing costs.
  • •Community discussions reveal apprehension about potential economic slowdowns, which could disproportionately impact small-cap companies.
  • •Recent geopolitical tensions have heightened market uncertainty, causing investors to favor larger, more stable companies over small caps.
  • •Some analysts warn that the current valuations of small-cap stocks may not align with future growth expectations, raising caution among investors.

Latest News

Technical Analysis

RSI(14)
--
MACD
--
Volume
NaN

Rationale

AI-generated technical analysis for IJR including trend direction, momentum, and pattern recognition.

What to Watch

Key support and resistance levels, volume signals, and upcoming events.

Risk Management

Position sizing, stop-loss levels, and risk-reward assessment.

Community

Discussion

Share your analysis and discuss iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with other investors. Log in to post.

Sentiment

Community sentiment and discussion activity for IJR.

Make a Prediction

Set your price target for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR), choose a timeframe, and track your prediction accuracy.

Current price: $127.24

Analyst Consensus

Consensus Rating

Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for IJR.

Price Targets

Wall Street price target analysis for IJR.

Insider Flow (30d)

No insider trades in the last 30 days.

MoonshotScore

45.5/100

Score Factors

  • Revenue Growth 5/100

    Revenue growth data is currently unavailable for this company.

  • Gross Margin 5/100

    Gross margin data is currently unavailable for this company.

  • Operating Leverage 4/100

    Limited operating leverage due to slower revenue growth, keeping profit scaling constrained.

  • Cash Runway 5/100

    Cash position data is currently unavailable for this company.

  • R&D Intensity 5/100

    R&D spending data is currently unavailable for this company.

  • Insider Activity 6/100

    No significant insider buying or selling recently, which is neutral for the stock outlook.

  • Short Interest 5/100

    Float and volume data unavailable for liquidity analysis.

  • Price Momentum 0/100

    No bullish technical signals detected. The stock lacks upward price momentum currently.

  • News Sentiment 5/100

    No sentiment data available

What does this score mean?

The MoonshotScore rates IJR's growth potential on a scale of 0-100 across multiple factors including innovation, market disruption, financial health, and momentum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF do?

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) aims to replicate the investment results of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which represents the small-cap sector of the U.S. equity market. By investing in IJR, investors gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks, spanning various sectors and industries. The fund seeks to provide a cost-effective and convenient way to access the growth potential of smaller companies, which often exhibit higher growth rates compared to their larger counterparts. IJR's strategy focuses on mirroring the returns of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, making it a valuable tool for portfolio diversification and long-term investment strategies.

Is IJR stock a good buy?

IJR can be a good buy for investors seeking exposure to the U.S. small-cap market and willing to accept higher volatility for potentially higher returns. With a beta of 1.19, IJR is more volatile than the broader market. The fund's low expense ratio enhances its appeal, but the absence of a dividend yield may not suit all investors. The potential for small-cap outperformance during economic recovery and expansion makes IJR an attractive option for growth-oriented portfolios. However, investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance and investment objectives before investing in IJR.

What are the main risks for IJR?

The main risks for IJR include higher volatility compared to large-cap ETFs, potential underperformance during market downturns, and increased competition from other ETFs. Small-cap stocks are generally more sensitive to economic cycles and market fluctuations, which can lead to greater price swings for IJR. Changes in investor sentiment and regulatory changes could also negatively impact IJR's performance. Investors should be aware of these risks and carefully consider their investment objectives and risk tolerance before investing in IJR. The medium AI risk assessment further underscores the need for careful consideration.

Is IJR a good stock to buy?

Whether IJR is a suitable investment depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Evaluate iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF's revenue growth, profit margins, debt levels, and valuation relative to peers. This is not financial advice.

What is the IJR MoonshotScore?

The MoonshotScore rates IJR from 0 to 100 across growth potential, financial health, market momentum, and risk factors. Scores above 70 suggest strong potential, 50-70 moderate, and below 50 warrants caution. It is recalculated daily using the latest market data. This score is informational only.

How often is IJR data updated?

IJR prices update in real time during U.S. market hours (9:30 AM-4:00 PM ET, weekdays). Fundamentals refresh after quarterly or annual filings. Analyst ratings and AI insights update daily. News is aggregated continuously from financial sources.

What do analysts say about IJR?

Analyst coverage for IJR includes consensus ratings (buy, hold, sell), 12-month price targets, and earnings estimates from major research firms. Key data points: consensus target price, number of covering analysts, recent upgrades or downgrades, and earnings beat/miss history. See the Analyst Consensus section on this page.

What are the risks of investing in IJR?

Risk categories for IJR include market risk, company-specific risk (management, competition), financial risk (debt, cash burn), and macroeconomic risk (rates, inflation). Beta above 1.0 indicates higher volatility than the S&P 500. Review the Risk Factors section on this page for details. All investments carry risk of loss.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Data provided for informational purposes only.

AI Analysis Notes
  • The information provided is based on available data and market conditions as of 2026-03-03.
  • Investment decisions should be made based on individual circumstances and consultation with a financial advisor.
Data Sources
profilefundamentalsexistingCopy