iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 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% |
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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%
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.
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.
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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.