iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • US Large-Cap Growth
Expense Ratio
0.19%
AUM
$85.0B
Dividend Yield
0.60%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
8.5/10
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
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% |
| Total Holdings | 440 |
| P/E Ratio | 36.0 |
| Beta | 1.14 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% |
| AUM | $85.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IWF
IWF holds 440 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | AAPL | 11.00% |
| 2 | Microsoft | MSFT | 10.00% |
| 3 | NVIDIA | NVDA | 9.50% |
| 4 | Amazon | AMZN | 6.00% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms | META | 5.00% |
| 6 | Alphabet Class A | GOOGL | 3.80% |
| 7 | Alphabet Class C | GOOG | 3.30% |
| 8 | Tesla | TSLA | 2.80% |
| 9 | Eli Lilly | LLY | 2.60% |
| 10 | Broadcom | AVGO | 2.50% |
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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:
YTD
3.40%
1 Year
27.00%
3 Year
11.00%
5 Year
17.00%
10 Year
15.50%
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.
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
- 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 "IWF" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Russell 1000 Growth 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 IWF
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 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.
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Pros and Cons of IWF
Pros
- ✓Broader growth universe than S&P 500 growth funds with over 440 holdings
- ✓Russell methodology uses multiple growth factors for stock selection
- ✓Well-established fund with over two decades of performance history
- ✓High AUM ensures minimal tracking error and excellent trade execution
Cons
- ✗Expense ratio of 0.19% is notably higher than Vanguard and SPDR growth alternatives
- ✗Heavy mega-cap tech concentration means top 5 stocks dominate returns
- ✗Elevated valuations make the fund vulnerable to sharp corrections in growth stocks
IWF vs Similar ETFs
See how IWF stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IWF a good ETF for beginners?▾
IWF 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 IWF?▾
IWF has an expense ratio of 0.19%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $19 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in IWF?▾
You can invest in IWF 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 IWF pay dividends?▾
Yes, IWF pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.60%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IWF?▾
The top holdings in IWF include Apple (11.00%), Microsoft (10.00%), NVIDIA (9.50%), and more. The fund holds 440 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.