Core Insights - The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) focuses on over 1,000 small-cap growth stocks, while the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) concentrates on just 69 mega-cap stocks, primarily in the technology sector [1][2][4][5] Fund Characteristics - IWO has sector weights of 25% in technology, 22% in healthcare, and 21% in industrials, with top holdings like Credo Technology Group, Bloom Energy, and Fabrinet each accounting for just over 1% of assets [1] - MGK has a striking 71% allocation to technology, with top holdings including Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, which collectively make up over a third of the fund [2][5] Performance and Risk - MGK has delivered stronger five-year returns and shallower drawdowns compared to IWO, but its heavy tilt towards technology makes it vulnerable to sector downturns [5][7][8] - IWO offers greater diversification, which can cushion against downturns in specific sectors, but it carries higher risk due to its focus on small-cap stocks [8] Cost and Fees - MGK is more affordable than IWO, with an expense ratio that is 0.17 percentage points lower, although IWO offers a slightly higher dividend yield [3][5] Investment Strategy - The choice between IWO and MGK depends on investor preferences for diversification versus concentration, with IWO appealing to those seeking broader exposure and MGK to those favoring established tech giants [4][8]

Core Insights - Investing in small-cap stocks can be a beneficial addition to a portfolio, but there are multiple options available for investors looking to grow their wealth over time [1][3]. Investment Returns - Historical data from 1802 to 2021 shows that stocks have an annualized nominal return of 8.4%, outperforming bonds (5%), bills (4%), gold (2.1%), and the U.S. dollar (1.4%) [1]. - An investment of $6,000 annually at an 8% growth rate can grow to $1,554,339 over 40 years, while $12,000 annually can reach $3,108,678 in the same period [2]. Growth Stocks and ETFs - To accelerate portfolio growth, investors may consider adding growth stocks through growth-oriented ETFs [3]. - The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF focuses on smaller companies with significant growth potential, currently priced at $308.52 with a 2.60% increase [4][5]. Performance Comparison - The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has shown average annual gains of 18.69% over one year, 14.33% over three years, 8.86% over five years, and 9.63% over ten years [5]. - In comparison, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has outperformed the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF across all time frames, with gains of 21.48% (1 year), 22.63% (3 years), 17.58% (5 years), and 14.60% (10 years) [6]. ETF Composition - The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF includes 1,090 companies with an overall price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.5, featuring top holdings such as Bloom Energy (1.59%) and Credo Technology (1.46%) [7]. - Unlike the S&P 500, which is heavily concentrated in its top 10 holdings, the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF maintains a more diversified portfolio [7][8]. Alternative Investment Options - Other options for including small companies in a portfolio include the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, which has an average annual gain of 12.63% over one year, 19.50% over three years, 13.72% over five years, and 13.62% over ten years [9]. - The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF, which includes over 1,300 companies, is another alternative for investors seeking exposure to both growth and value-oriented small-cap stocks [10].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has advantages such as lower fees and stronger recent returns compared to the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO), which offers broader small-cap growth exposure and a slightly higher yield [1][2]. Cost & Size Comparison - VONG has an expense ratio of 0.07%, significantly lower than IWO's 0.24% - VONG's one-year return is 19.3%, while IWO's is 4.56% - VONG has a dividend yield of 0.46%, compared to IWO's 0.66% - VONG's assets under management (AUM) stand at $41.7 billion, while IWO's AUM is $12.95 billion [3]. Performance & Risk Metrics - VONG's maximum drawdown over five years is -32.72%, while IWO's is -42.02% - An investment of $1,000 in VONG would grow to $2,061 over five years, compared to $1,220 for IWO [4]. Fund Composition - IWO targets small-cap U.S. growth stocks with 1,090 holdings, primarily in technology (25%), healthcare (22%), and industrials (21%) - The top holdings in IWO are evenly distributed, with no single holding exceeding 2% of total assets - VONG is concentrated in large-cap growth, with technology making up 54% of its portfolio, followed by consumer cyclical (13%) and communication services (12%) - The top three holdings in VONG (Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft) account for over 36% of the fund [5][6]. Investment Considerations - VONG may appear superior due to its lower expense ratio, less severe maximum drawdown, and higher returns, but it has a heavy reliance on the tech sector, which limits diversification and increases risk [8]. - IWO, while experiencing lower recent returns, offers broader diversification and potential for explosive growth in small-cap stocks [9]. - The choice between VONG and IWO depends on whether an investor seeks large-cap growth or small-cap diversification [10].

Core Insights - Small-cap U.S. stocks are showing signs of a potential comeback after a prolonged period of underperformance, although it remains uncertain if this is the beginning of a sustained rally or a temporary rise [1] Performance Overview - The iShares Russell 2000 index has increased by 11% over the past three months as of September 25, 2025, compared to a 7.6% gain in the S&P 500. However, year-to-date performance shows the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) up 8.2%, lagging behind the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) which is up 12.6% [2] - The early-year weakness in small-cap stocks was largely attributed to President Trump's announcement of higher tariffs in April, which adversely affected smaller companies [2] Economic Factors - The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September and the indication of two more cuts this year could benefit small-cap stocks, with an 87.7% probability of another 25-bp cut in October [3] - The U.S. economy experienced a robust growth rate of 3.8% in Q2 of 2025, driven by stronger consumer spending, marking an upward revision from a previous estimate of 3.3% [4] - The positive economic growth is favorable for small-cap stocks, which are closely tied to the domestic economy [5] Valuation Metrics - As of September 19, 2025, the Russell 2000 is trading at a P/E ratio of 34.65, significantly higher than the year-ago level of 25.12, indicating that small caps may be overvalued [6] - In comparison, the Nasdaq 100 is trading at a P/E ratio of 32.65, and the S&P 500 at 25.30, suggesting that small-cap stocks are not cheap relative to other indices [7] ETF Performance - Notable small-cap U.S. ETFs that have performed well in Q3 include: - Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) – up 15.5% - Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Value ETF (RZV) – up 14% - Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF (VTWV) – up 13.6% - First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX ETF (FYX) – up 13.5% - Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) – up 13.4% - iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) – up 13% [8] Market Concerns - President Trump's announcement on September 25, 2025, regarding new tariffs on various imports starting October 1 may introduce volatility in small-cap stocks in the short term [9]