iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • U.S. Small-Cap Blend
Expense Ratio
0.19%
AUM
$72.0B
Dividend Yield
1.30%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is iShares Russell 2000 ETF?
IWM tracks the Russell 2000 index, which includes 2,000 small-cap U.S. companies. Small-cap stocks are younger, faster-growing companies that have historically delivered higher returns than large-caps over very long time periods, but with significantly more volatility. Beginners should view IWM as a way to add growth potential through smaller companies that could become the large-caps of tomorrow.
IWM is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2000. With $72.0B 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.
IWM at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% |
| Total Holdings | 1,955 |
| P/E Ratio | 28.5 |
| Beta | 1.22 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% |
| AUM | $72.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IWM
IWM holds 1,955 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FTAI Aviation Ltd. | FTAI | 0.60% |
| 2 | Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. | SFM | 0.50% |
| 3 | Insmed Inc. | INSM | 0.50% |
| 4 | Vaxcyte Inc. | PCVX | 0.40% |
| 5 | Mueller Water Products Inc. | MWA | 0.40% |
| 6 | Fluor Corp. | FLR | 0.40% |
| 7 | Fabrinet | FN | 0.40% |
| 8 | Comfort Systems USA Inc. | FIX | 0.40% |
| 9 | ChampionX Corp. | CHX | 0.30% |
| 10 | Enovis Corp. | ENOV | 0.30% |
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IWM Performance History
Here's how IWM 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
1.50%
1 Year
17.80%
3 Year
2.50%
5 Year
8.20%
10 Year
7.80%
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.
IWM scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 1,955 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy IWM — 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 "IWM" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Russell 2000 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 IWM
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 IWM'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 IWM
Pros
- ✓Broad exposure to nearly 2,000 small-cap companies with significant growth potential
- ✓Small-caps have historically outperformed large-caps over very long time horizons
- ✓No single stock dominates the portfolio, with the largest holding under 1%
- ✓Provides exposure to domestic-focused companies less affected by global trade issues
Cons
- ✗Significantly higher volatility than large-cap ETFs, with steeper drawdowns during bear markets
- ✗Has substantially underperformed large-cap indexes over the past decade
- ✗Many holdings are unprofitable companies, resulting in a higher portfolio P/E ratio
IWM vs Similar ETFs
See how IWM stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IWM a good ETF for beginners?▾
IWM 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 IWM?▾
IWM 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 IWM?▾
You can invest in IWM 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 IWM pay dividends?▾
Yes, IWM pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.30%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IWM?▾
The top holdings in IWM include FTAI Aviation Ltd. (0.60%), Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (0.50%), Insmed Inc. (0.50%), and more. The fund holds 1,955 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.