Should iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Insights - The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) is a passively managed ETF launched on April 28, 2015, with assets exceeding $1.94 billion, targeting the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market [1][2] Fund Characteristics - Small cap companies are defined as those with market capitalizations below $2 billion, typically presenting higher potential and risk compared to larger companies [2] - SMLF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.15%, making it one of the more cost-effective options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.34% [3] Sector Allocation and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 19% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Information Technology [4] - Key individual holdings include Emcor Group Inc (EME) at about 1.04% of total assets, along with Carvana Class A (CVNA) and Jabil Inc (JBL) [5] Performance Metrics - SMLF aims to replicate the performance of the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multiple-Factor Index, achieving a return of roughly 4.17% year-to-date and an increase of about 8.77% over the past year as of July 31, 2025 [6] - The ETF has a beta of 1.07 and a standard deviation of 20.88% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [7] Alternatives in the Market - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Blend market segment [8] - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) with $64.81 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.05%, and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with $80.76 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.06% [9] Investment Trends - There is a growing trend among retail and institutional investors towards passively managed ETFs due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10]