Core Insights - The State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and the iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) differ in cost, portfolio breadth, and historical performance, with ISCG having lower fees and broader industrial exposure but higher volatility over time [2][3] Cost and Size Comparison - SLYG has an expense ratio of 0.15% and AUM of $3.6 billion, while ISCG has a lower expense ratio of 0.06% and AUM of $807.86 million [4] - The one-year return for SLYG is 8.96%, compared to ISCG's 18.02%, while SLYG offers a slightly higher dividend yield of 0.86% versus ISCG's 0.61% [4][5] Performance and Risk Analysis - Over five years, SLYG experienced a maximum drawdown of -29.17%, while ISCG faced a deeper drawdown of -41.49% [6] - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $1,210 for SLYG and $1,095 for ISCG, indicating SLYG's better performance in this period [6] Portfolio Composition - ISCG tracks 971 U.S. small-cap growth stocks, with sector weights led by industrials (26%), technology (18%), and healthcare (17%), and its largest holdings are under 1% of the fund [7] - SLYG holds 334 stocks with a sector tilt towards industrials (20.5%), technology (19%), and healthcare (16%), focusing on firms with strong sales growth and earnings momentum [8] Investment Implications - Investing in small-cap ETFs like SLYG and ISCG provides exposure to a broad range of small-cap stocks, which are generally more volatile but offer greater upside potential [10]

Core Insights - The article compares two small-cap growth ETFs, the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and the iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (IJT), focusing on their cost, performance, risk, and portfolio construction to assist investors in making informed decisions [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - IJT has an expense ratio of 0.18%, while VBK has a lower expense ratio of 0.07% [3] - As of January 17, 2026, IJT's one-year return is 8.63%, compared to VBK's 12.47% [3] - IJT offers a dividend yield of 0.91%, higher than VBK's 0.54% [3] - Assets under management (AUM) for IJT is $6 billion, while VBK has significantly higher AUM at $39 billion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, IJT experienced a maximum drawdown of -29.23%, while VBK had a deeper drawdown of -38.39% [4] - An investment of $1,000 in IJT would have grown to $1,227 over five years, while the same investment in VBK would have grown to $1,155 [4] Portfolio Composition - VBK holds 552 positions, with 27% allocated to technology, 21% to industrials, and 18% to healthcare, featuring top holdings like Insmed and SoFi Technologies [5] - IJT contains 348 stocks, with a more balanced sector allocation: 20% in technology, 19% in industrials, and 17% in healthcare, including leading positions like Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals [6] Investment Implications - Both ETFs focus on small-cap stocks with growth potential, which may lead to higher total returns over time [7] - VBK is considered slightly higher risk due to its heavier tilt towards technology, indicated by a higher beta of 1.43 compared to IJT's 1.18 [8] - IJT's higher dividend yield may appeal to income-focused investors, despite its higher expense ratio compared to VBK [9] - Investors must weigh their goals, as VBK has shown larger price swings but has outperformed IJT over the last 12 months [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article reflects on the desire of investors to have purchased shares in companies like Google or NVIDIA before they became major industry leaders [1] Company Insights - Google and NVIDIA are highlighted as examples of companies that have significantly matured and grown in value over time [1]