Should iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Viewpoint - The iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) is a large-cap blend ETF that offers broad exposure to the U.S. equity market, with significant assets under management and a focus on large-cap companies [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - The iShares Russell 1000 ETF was launched on May 15, 2000, and is sponsored by Blackrock, with assets exceeding $41.49 billion [1]. - The fund targets large-cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations above $10 billion, which are generally more stable and less volatile [2]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense of 0.15%, making it one of the more cost-effective options in its category, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.09% [3]. - As of July 21, 2025, the ETF has gained approximately 7.66% year-to-date and 15.31% over the past year, with a trading range between $272.36 and $345.22 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 32.30% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [4]. - Microsoft Corp (MSFT) is the largest holding at approximately 6.34% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 32.79% of total assets under management [5]. Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Russell 1000 Index, which includes the largest issuers in the U.S. equity market, and has a beta of 1.01, indicating medium risk [6][7]. - Alternatives to IWB include the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which have larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [9]. Group 5: Investment Appeal - The iShares Russell 1000 ETF is rated as a "Buy" by Zacks based on expected returns, expense ratio, and momentum, making it an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to large-cap blend stocks [8]. - The growing trend towards passively managed ETFs highlights their advantages in cost, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, appealing to both retail and institutional investors [10].