IJR — iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
iShares (BlackRock) · Expense Ratio: 0.06% · US Small/Mid Cap · 6bp below the US Small/Mid Cap category average of 0.12%
Key Facts
| Ticker | IJR |
| Full Name | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF |
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% |
| Category | US Small/Mid Cap |
| Assets Under Management | $85B |
| Inception Year | 2000 (26 years ago) |
| Number of Holdings | 600 |
| Dividend Yield | ~1.1% (low) |
| Top Holdings | SMCI, ELF, ATI |
What Is IJR?
IJR, managed by iShares (BlackRock), launched in 2000, is a major ETF with deep liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads in the US Small/Mid Cap category. US small-cap and mid-cap stock ETF covering smaller US companies with higher growth potential. With $85B in assets under management, it benefits from deep institutional liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads.
IJR in a FIRE Portfolio
This fund serves as a satellite position — adding targeted exposure to us small/mid cap within a FIRE portfolio built around a broad-market core.
Satellite holdings typically make up 5-20% of your portfolio. Small-cap stocks have historically outperformed large-caps over long periods — a 10-20% tilt can boost long-term returns for FIRE investors with 30+ year horizons.
Cost Analysis: How IJR's 0.06% Fee Affects Your FIRE Timeline
At 0.06%, IJR is very cost-effective. Annual fees on a $100K investment: $60. Over 30 years, the fee drag shaves approximately 0.4% off your total returns. For a $1M FIRE portfolio, that's about $6,000 in cumulative fees — noticeable but reasonable for most investors.
Dividend Income Potential
With a low dividend yield of approximately 1.1%, here's what IJR could generate in annual income at different portfolio sizes:
| Portfolio Value | Annual Dividend Income | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $1,100/year | $92/month |
| $250,000 | $2,750/year | $229/month |
| $500,000 | $5,500/year | $458/month |
| $1,000,000 | $11,000/year | $917/month |
Frequently Asked Questions About IJR
What is the expense ratio for IJR?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06%. This is very cost-effective — on a $100K portfolio, annual fees are $60. 6bp below the us small/mid cap category average of 0.12%.
Is IJR good for a FIRE portfolio?
This fund serves as a satellite position — adding targeted exposure to us small/mid cap within a FIRE portfolio built around a broad-market core. Its 0.06% expense ratio is very cost-effective for the US Small/Mid Cap category.
How does the 0.06% fee affect long-term returns?
At 0.06%, you'll pay $60/year per $100K invested. Over 30 years, fees reduce total returns by approximately 0.4%. Use the embedded calculator below to model the exact impact on your specific portfolio.
Similar ETFs in US Small/Mid Cap
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- VIOV — Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)
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- SCHA — Schwab US Small-Cap ETF (0.04% · Satellite Position)
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- VTWO — Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (0.1% · Satellite Position)