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

Core Viewpoint - The iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) is a significant investment vehicle in the Mid Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with over $8.91 billion in assets, providing investors with a diversified and growth-oriented option [1]. Group 1: ETF Overview - Launched on July 24, 2000, IJK is designed to provide broad exposure to the Mid Cap Growth segment of the US equity market [1]. - The ETF is sponsored by Blackrock and has become one of the larger ETFs in its category [1]. - The fund has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.17%, which is competitive within its peer group [4]. Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, are generally seen as having higher growth prospects and lower volatility compared to large and small cap companies [2]. - Growth stocks, while having higher sales and earnings growth rates, also come with higher valuations and associated risks [3]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Industrials sector, comprising about 29.1% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [5]. - The top holding, Interactive Brokers Group Inc, accounts for approximately 1.61% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings making up about 11.43% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Performance Metrics - IJK aims to match the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, with a year-to-date return of approximately 2.76% and a one-year return of about 5.25% as of August 18, 2025 [7]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.06 and a standard deviation of 20.02% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [8]. Group 5: Alternatives and Market Position - IJK holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong expected performance based on various factors [9]. - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IWP), with VOT having $17.40 billion in assets and IWP with $19.98 billion [10].