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<h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF offers a higher expense ratio and a lower trailing-12-month dividend yield than State Street SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust.</li><li>While iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF outperformed over the last year, it has faced a significantly steeper maximum drawdown and lower five-year growth.</li><li>State Street SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust concentrates on megacap technology while iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF leans into healthcare and industrials.</li><li>10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF ›</li></ul><p><strong>iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF</strong> <span class="ticker">(NYSEMKT:IWO)</span> targets small-cap companies with rapid growth potential, whereas <strong>State Street SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</strong> <span class="ticker">(NYSEMKT:SPY)</span> offers a diversified anchor of the largest U.S. corporations.</p><p>Investors may choose between the broad-market stability of the S&amp;P 500 and the higher risk-reward potential of small-cap growth equities. The State Street SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust serves as the global standard for large-cap domestic equity, while the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF filters smaller companies for aggressive expansion traits.</p><h2 id="snapshot-cost-amp-size">Snapshot (cost &amp; size)</h2><section><table><tbody><tr><th>Metric</th><th>SPY</th><th>IWO</th></tr><tr><td>Issuer</td><td>SPDR</td><td>iShares</td></tr><tr><td>Expense ratio</td><td>0.09%</td><td>0.24%</td></tr><tr><td>1-yr return (as of May 7, 2026)</td><td>31.90%</td><td>43.20%</td></tr><tr><td>Dividend yield</td><td>1.00%</td><td>0.40%</td></tr><tr><td>Beta</td><td>1.00</td><td>1.19</td></tr><tr><td>AUM</td><td>~$753.9 billion</td><td>~$14.3 billion</td></tr></tbody></table></section><p><em>Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&amp;P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.</em></p><p>The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF is more expensive to hold with a 0.24% expense ratio compared to 0.09% for the SPDR trust. Additionally, the SPDR trust provides a higher payout, offering a 1.00% yield versus 0.40% for the iShares fund.</p><h2 id="performance-amp-risk-comparison">Performance &amp; risk comparison</h2><section><table><tbody><tr><th>Metric</th><th>SPY</th><th>IWO</th></tr><tr><td>Max drawdown (5 yr)</td><td>(24.50%)</td><td>(40.50%)</td></tr><tr><td>Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)</td><td>~$1,856</td><td>~$1,268</td></tr></tbody></table></section><h2 id="whatx27s-inside">What's inside</h2><p>The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) focuses on small-cap growth, with primary sector allocations to Healthcare 25%, Technology 22%, and Industrials 21%. It holds 1,093 companies, and its largest positions include <strong>Bloom Energy</strong> <span class="ticker">(NYSE:BE)</span> at 3.71%, <strong>Credo Technology Group Holding</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:CRDO)</span> at 1.79%, and <strong>Sterling Infrastructure</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:STRL)</span> at 1.38%. The fund was launched in 2000 and has a trailing-12-month dividend of $1.51 per share.</p><p>In contrast, the State Street SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) tracks large-cap benchmarks, tilting heavily toward Technology 34%, Financial Services 12%, and Communication Services 10%. Its top holdings include <strong>Nvidia</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:NVDA)</span> at 8.00%, <strong>Apple</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:AAPL)</span> at 6.68%, and <strong>Microsoft</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:MSFT)</span> at 4.87%. It manages 505 holdings, was launched in 1993, and paid $7.38 per share over the trailing 12 months.</p><p>For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.</p><h2 id="what-this-means-for-investors-">What this means for investors </h2><p>SPY and IWO occupy opposite ends of the U.S. equity universe, and putting them side by side makes the contrast vivid. SPY is the original U.S. ETF, tracking the S&amp;P 500's 500 largest companies with nearly $685 billion in assets, making this a bedrock holding for millions of investors worldwide. IWO targets the riskiest, fastest-growing corner of the market: small-cap growth companies with high valuations, minimal profitability requirements, and significant room to either soar or stumble.</p><p>The sector profiles couldn't be more different. SPY leans heavily into megacap technology. IWO spreads across healthcare, industrials, and technology in roughly equal measure, with no single holding carrying meaningful weight and no company anywhere near the scale of an Apple or Nvidia.</p><p>SPY charges less than a third of what IWO does, and its long-term track record is hard to argue with. IWO suits investors who want to tilt aggressively toward small-cap growth and accept significantly more volatility in pursuit of higher long-term returns. For most portfolios, SPY is the foundation; IWO is the high-conviction satellite.</p><h2>Should you buy stock in iShares Trust - iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF right now?</h2>
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<p style="color: #767676; text-align: left"><em>*Stock Advisor returns as of May 11, 2026. </em></p><p><em>Sara Appino has positions in Apple and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Bloom Energy, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Sterling Infrastructure. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.</em></p>
<p>The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.</p>
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<p>The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) targets small-cap growth companies, while the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) focuses on large-cap stability. IWO has a higher expense ratio (0.24%) and lower dividend yield (0.40%) compared to SPY (0.09% expense ratio, 1.00% yield). Over the past year, IWO outperformed SPY but has a steeper maximum drawdown. Investors face a choice between the aggressive growth potential of IWO and the stability of SPY, which is a foundational holding for many. The Motley Fool suggests considering other stocks over IWO for better returns.</p>

- The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has a higher expense ratio and lower dividend yield compared to the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.  
- While iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF targets small-cap growth and has shown greater one-year returns, it also carries higher risk with a steeper maximum drawdown and lower five-year growth.  
- Investors face a choice between the stability of the S&P 500 and the higher risk-reward potential of small-cap equities represented by the iShares fund.

IWO vs. SPY: Small-Cap Growth Potential Against Large-Cap Stability