iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF): Complete Beginner's Guide

What is iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF?

IWF tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index, offering exposure to the largest and fastest-growing U.S. companies selected based on revenue growth, earnings growth, and price momentum. It captures a broader universe of growth stocks than S&P 500 growth funds because the Russell 1000 includes more companies. This fund is a popular choice for investors who want aggressive growth exposure in a single trade.

IWF is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2000. With $85.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.19%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $19 per year in management fees.

IWF at a Glance — Key Metrics

Top 10 Holdings in IWF

IWF holds 440 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:

IWF Performance History

Here's how IWF 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:

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.

IWF scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 440 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.

How to Buy IWF — Step by Step

1. Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
2. Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
3. Search for "IWF" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF.
4. 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.
5. 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.

IWF Sector Allocation

Here's how IWF distributes its investments across different sectors of the economy:

Dollar Cost Averaging Into IWF

Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):

*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Fee impact: With IWF's expense ratio of 0.19%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $1,613 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.

Pros and Cons of IWF

IWF vs Similar ETFs

See how IWF stacks up against similar funds:

Frequently Asked Questions