iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH): Complete Beginner's Guide
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is a us mid-cap ETF from BlackRock with an expense ratio of 0.05% and $80.0B in assets under management. Our Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10 (Great for Beginners). 5-year annualized return: 10.50%.
Last updated: April 2026
BlackRock • US Mid-Cap
Expense Ratio
0.05%
AUM
$80.0B
Dividend Yield
1.40%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF?
IJH tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index, offering exposure to 400 medium-sized U.S. companies that have passed quality screens for profitability and liquidity. Mid-cap stocks often represent companies in their prime growth phase, large enough to be stable but still nimble enough to grow significantly. IJH has been a go-to mid-cap fund for institutional and retail investors alike since 2000.
IJH is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2000. With $80.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.05%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $5 per year in management fees.
IJH at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% |
| Total Holdings | 400 |
| P/E Ratio | 19.8 |
| Beta | 1.08 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% |
| AUM | $80.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IJH
IJH holds 400 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jabil | JBL | 0.80% |
| 2 | Reliance Steel | RS | 0.70% |
| 3 | Carlisle Companies | CSL | 0.70% |
| 4 | Targa Resources | TRGP | 0.70% |
| 5 | Steel Dynamics | STLD | 0.60% |
| 6 | Booz Allen Hamilton | BAH | 0.60% |
| 7 | Axon Enterprise | AXON | 0.60% |
| 8 | Wingstop | WING | 0.50% |
| 9 | Curtiss-Wright | CW | 0.50% |
| 10 | Hubbell | HUBB | 0.50% |
IJH's top holding is Jabil (JBL) at 0.80%, followed by Reliance Steel (RS) at 0.70% and Carlisle Companies (CSL) at 0.70%. The top 10 holdings account for 6.20% of the fund's 400 total positions.
View data table
| Rank | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jabil | JBL | 0.80% |
| 2 | Reliance Steel | RS | 0.70% |
| 3 | Carlisle Companies | CSL | 0.70% |
| 4 | Targa Resources | TRGP | 0.70% |
| 5 | Steel Dynamics | STLD | 0.60% |
| 6 | Booz Allen Hamilton | BAH | 0.60% |
| 7 | Axon Enterprise | AXON | 0.60% |
| 8 | Wingstop | WING | 0.50% |
| 9 | Curtiss-Wright | CW | 0.50% |
| 10 | Hubbell | HUBB | 0.50% |
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IJH Performance History
Here's how IJH has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.50%
1 Year
13.00%
3 Year
8.00%
5 Year
10.50%
10 Year
9.50%
IJH has returned 10.50% annualized over 5 years and 9.50% over 10 years. YTD return is 2.50%.
View data table
| Period | Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | 2.50% |
| 1 Year | 13.00% |
| 3 Year | 8.00% |
| 5 Year | 10.50% |
| 10 Year | 9.50% |
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
IJH scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 400 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy IJH — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "IJH" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
IJH Sector Allocation
Here's how IJH distributes its investments across different sectors of the economy:
IJH's largest sector allocation is Industrials at 21.0%, followed by Financials at 15.0% and Consumer Discretionary at 14.0%.
View data table
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Industrials | 21.0% |
| Financials | 15.0% |
| Consumer Discretionary | 14.0% |
| Technology | 14.0% |
| Healthcare | 9.0% |
| Real Estate | 8.0% |
| Materials | 6.0% |
| Energy | 5.0% |
| Utilities | 5.0% |
| Consumer Staples | 3.0% |
Dollar Cost Averaging Into IJH
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With IJH's expense ratio of 0.05%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $430 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
IJH's expense ratio of 0.05% costs $430 on a $10,000 investment over 20 years (assuming 8% annual return). Without fees, the investment would grow to $46,610 instead of $46,180.
View data table
| Year | Without Fees | With Fees | Fee Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| 5 | $14,693 | $14,659 | $34 |
| 10 | $21,589 | $21,490 | $99 |
| 15 | $31,722 | $31,502 | $220 |
| 20 | $46,610 | $46,180 | $430 |
Pros and Cons of IJH
Pros
- ✓S&P 400 quality screens ensure holdings meet profitability and size criteria
- ✓Excellent liquidity with massive AUM and high daily trading volume
- ✓Mid-cap sweet spot offers growth potential with less risk than small-caps
- ✓Long track record since 2000 makes it one of the most established mid-cap ETFs
Cons
- ✗More volatile than large-cap funds during economic uncertainty
- ✗Quality screening excludes some high-growth companies that are not yet profitable
- ✗Industrial and financial sector concentration can amplify cyclical risk
IJH vs Similar ETFs
See how IJH stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IJH a good ETF for beginners?▾
IJH has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of IJH?▾
IJH has an expense ratio of 0.05%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $5 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in IJH?▾
You can invest in IJH with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does IJH pay dividends?▾
Yes, IJH pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.40%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IJH?▾
The top holdings in IJH include Jabil (0.80%), Reliance Steel (0.70%), Carlisle Companies (0.70%), and more. The fund holds 400 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.
What sectors does IJH invest in?▾
IJH's largest sector allocations are Industrials (21.00%), Financials (15.00%), Consumer Discretionary (14.00%). This sector distribution shows a focus on industrials stocks.
How much do IJH's fees cost over time?▾
With an expense ratio of 0.05%, a $10,000 investment in IJH would lose approximately $430 to fees over 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns). This is a reasonable fee level.