Should iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is a leading option for investors seeking exposure to the Mid Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $97.42 billion, making it the largest ETF in this category [1] Group 1: Mid Cap Blend Overview - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, generally offer higher growth prospects and lower volatility compared to large and small cap companies [2] - Blend ETFs typically hold a mix of growth and value stocks, providing a balanced investment approach [2] Group 2: Cost Structure - The annual operating expense ratio for IJH is 0.05%, positioning it as one of the more cost-effective options in the ETF market [3] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.35% [3] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest sector allocation is to Industrials, comprising about 23% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [4] - Emcor Group Inc (EME) represents approximately 0.78% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 3% of total assets under management [5] Group 4: Performance Metrics - IJH aims to replicate the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, with a year-to-date return of roughly 2.70% and a one-year return of approximately 6.75% as of July 15, 2025 [6] - The ETF has traded between $51.16 and $67.87 over the past 52 weeks [6] Group 5: Risk Assessment - IJH has a beta of 1.05 and a standard deviation of 19.63% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium risk investment [7] - The ETF holds about 410 different securities, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [7] Group 6: Alternatives - The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) are alternative options, with IWR having $42.86 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.19%, while VO has $84.50 billion and charges 0.04% [9] Group 7: Market Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10]