Should iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Viewpoint - The iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) is a significant investment vehicle for exposure to the Mid Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with over $7.93 billion in assets under management, making it one of the larger ETFs in this category [1]. Group 1: Mid Cap Value Characteristics - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, are seen as having higher growth prospects compared to large cap companies while being less risky than small cap companies, providing a balance of stability and growth potential [2]. - Value stocks, characterized by lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, typically exhibit lower sales and earnings growth rates. Historically, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in most markets, although they may underperform during strong bull markets [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.18%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.84% [4]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index, which measures the mid-capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market. As of July 10, 2025, the ETF has returned approximately 2.87% year-to-date and 16.11% over the past year, with a trading range of $103.88 to $135.52 in the last 52 weeks [7][8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 20.30% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Consumer Discretionary [5]. - Among individual holdings, Us Foods Holding Corp (USFD) represents about 1.28% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 7.77% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - The iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable position based on expected returns, expense ratios, and momentum [10]. - Other alternatives in the mid-cap value ETF space include the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) with $13.53 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.23%, and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) with $18.11 billion in assets and a lower expense ratio of 0.07% [11]. Group 5: Investor Appeal - Passively managed ETFs like IJJ are increasingly favored by retail and institutional investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [12].