Invest in the Russell 2000

The Russell 2000 offers a comprehensive snapshot of the small-cap market — stocks that belong to companies with a market capitalization between USD $300 million and USD $2 billion. These stocks can outperform blue-chips, but come with some risk.

What is the Russell 2000?

The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index that tracks 2,000 of the smallest-cap companies in the US. Companies within the Russell 2000 are pulled from its parent index: the Russell 3000. It helps small-cap investors gauge the US stock market.

The Russell 2000 was founded in 1984 by the Frank Russell Company, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. Today, it’s managed by the FTSE Russell, a British data and analytics firm that maintains stock market indices.

How to invest in the Russell 2000

Because the Russell 2000 is just an index of stocks, you can’t invest in it directly. However, you can invest in individual stocks tracked by the index or buy into ETFs that track the index.

Here’s a quick look at the investment process:

1. Pick a platform. Explore your brokerage account options across multiple platforms to find the provider that best matches your investment preferences.
2. Open an account. You can open most brokerage accounts online, and fund by linking to an external account.
3. Choose your securities. Use your platform’s research tools to pinpoint the stocks and ETFs that fit your investment goals.
4. Monitor your investments. Track your investments by logging into your brokerage account.

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What stocks are in the Russell 2000?

The Russell 2000 isn’t a blue chip index — it tracks 2,000 small-cap companies to offer direct insight into smaller businesses across the US. While it lacks the easily recognizable big wigs in tech and finance, these stocks present a unique opportunity for investors:

What ETFs track the Russell 2000?

Major exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the Russell 2000 include:

How is the Russell 2000 performing?

The graph below tracks how the Russell 2000 has performed historically (figures are stated in US dollars). Toggle between the options on the graph to see the data for the past month, 3 months, year or 5 years.

Why should I invest in the Russell 2000?

Investing in index funds offers a valuable diversification opportunity to a portfolio with limited assets. And for those looking to support small businesses, ETFs that track the Russell 2000 give investors a way to allocate assets to small-cap US stocks.

Investment experts suggest small-cap stocks frequently outperform large-cap stocks because of their growth potential. While most large-cap companies have already experienced the bulk of their growth, many small-cap companies are looking to expand.

What are the risks of investing in the Russell 2000?

Small-cap stocks are a double-edged sword. While their potential for growth makes them an appealing asset, they also tend to be more volatile than well-established large-cap stocks. There’s an opportunity for profit when supporting small-cap businesses, but these stocks can also be risky.

The best way to build a well-balanced portfolio is to invest in stocks and funds from multiple indices, both domestic and international.

Compare stock trading platforms

If you plan to invest in an ETF that tracks the Russell 2000, you’ll need to open a brokerage account. Compare your options to find the best fit.

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Bottom line

The Russell 2000 can help investors gauge the market for small domestic stocks. But while the companies it tracks are well-positioned for growth, their stocks tend to be more volatile than better-established businesses.

Compare investment accounts across trading platforms to find your ideal broker.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a market-cap-weighted index?

  A market-cap-weighted index is an index weighted by shares outstanding, taking into account both the stock’s last sale price as well as the number of shares available for trade.

• What sectors does the Russell 2000 include?

  The Russell 2000 index measures the performance of some 2,000 stocks in 11 sectors:

  • Communications
  • Consumer discretionary
  • Consumer staples
  • Energy
  • Financials
  • Health care

  • Industrials
  • Information technology
  • Materials
  • Utilities
  • Real estate

• Which sectors receive the most weight in the Russell 2000?

  While the Russell 2000 contains a broad range of stock sectors, a majority of its companies come from the financial, health care and industrial sectors.

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