iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • US Small-Cap
Expense Ratio
0.06%
AUM
$80.0B
Dividend Yield
1.50%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
9/10
What is iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF?
IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which screens for profitability before including companies, making it a higher-quality small-cap option. Unlike broader small-cap indexes, the S&P 600 requires positive earnings, filtering out unprofitable speculative companies. This quality screen has historically helped IJR deliver better risk-adjusted returns than many competing small-cap funds.
IJR 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 0.06%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $6 per year in management fees.
IJR at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% |
| Total Holdings | 600 |
| P/E Ratio | 18.5 |
| Beta | 1.12 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.50% |
| AUM | $80.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IJR
IJR holds 600 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SPS Commerce | SPSC | 0.70% |
| 2 | Mueller Water Products | MWA | 0.60% |
| 3 | Applied Industrial Technologies | AIT | 0.60% |
| 4 | Ensign Group | ENSG | 0.60% |
| 5 | Meritage Homes | MTH | 0.50% |
| 6 | UFP Technologies | UFPT | 0.50% |
| 7 | Omnicell | OMCL | 0.50% |
| 8 | Kforce | KFRC | 0.50% |
| 9 | Helios Technologies | HLIO | 0.40% |
| 10 | Visteon Corporation | VC | 0.40% |
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IJR Performance History
Here's how IJR 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
2.20%
1 Year
11.00%
3 Year
6.00%
5 Year
9.50%
10 Year
9.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10
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.
IJR scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 600 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy IJR — 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 "IJR" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core S&P Small-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 IJR
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 IJR's expense ratio of 0.06%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $515 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 IJR
Pros
- ✓S&P 600 profitability screen filters out unprofitable speculative companies
- ✓Large AUM and high trading volume provide excellent liquidity
- ✓Quality tilt has historically led to better risk-adjusted returns than broader small-cap indexes
- ✓Well-established fund with over two decades of track record
Cons
- ✗Profitability requirement excludes some high-potential early-stage growth companies
- ✗Still significantly more volatile than large-cap and mid-cap alternatives
- ✗Slightly higher expense ratio compared to Vanguard small-cap offerings
IJR vs Similar ETFs
See how IJR stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IJR a good ETF for beginners?▾
IJR has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 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 IJR?▾
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $6 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in IJR?▾
You can invest in IJR 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 IJR pay dividends?▾
Yes, IJR pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.50%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IJR?▾
The top holdings in IJR include SPS Commerce (0.70%), Mueller Water Products (0.60%), Applied Industrial Technologies (0.60%), and more. The fund holds 600 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.