SVAL ETF: What Is It? Returns, Fees, Holdings and Alternative ETFs at a Glance
The iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) selects undervalued small-cap value stocks from the Russell 2000 according to fixed rules. The key selection criteria are its management fee, dividends, diversification across holdings, and how it differs from similar ETFs such as AVUV and IJS.
SubscribeWhat Is the iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF?
This ETF tracks the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index and concentrates its investments in U.S. small-cap companies with strong value factor characteristics. It offers diversified exposure across undervalued small caps.
It suits investors who are willing to tolerate high volatility in pursuit of a long-term recovery in U.S. small-cap value stocks and the factor premium.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by iShares.
How Does the iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | Russell 2000 Focused Value Select |
| Management style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend frequency | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares |
| Expense ratio | 0.20% |
The fund holds small caps with high value factor scores from the Russell 2000 universe. It narrows down holdings using value metrics such as price relative to book value and earnings yield, and it rebalances periodically under the index rules to maintain its value exposure.
- Applies the value factor in a concentrated way to small caps
- Passive structure built on BlackRock's management infrastructure
iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $161.3M, and the Expense Ratio is 0.20% per year.
Compared with similar small-cap value ETFs, the fees and the degree of holdings concentration are what separate one choice from another.
iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeSmall-cap value stocks tend to follow a different cycle from large-cap growth stocks, so their relative performance swings considerably with interest rates and the economic phase. Recent trends are also highly sensitive to shifts in market risk appetite.
The small-cap value category is relatively small in assets compared with large-cap core funds. Inflows tend to rise when risk appetite increases, while outflow pressure tends to grow when volatility expands.
iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is diversified exposure to the small-cap value factor, while its weaknesses are the volatility typical of small caps and limited trading liquidity.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
AVUV, shown in the table, is also a representative comparison in the same small-cap value theme, with differences in management approach and fees. VLUE and FVAL are value factor ETFs that include large caps, while JAVA is an active value strategy that differs in market capitalization range and management style. Direct substitutes outside the table include IJS, VBR and IWN in the same small-cap value category, which allow you to compare indexes, fees and diversification. If you want exposure to small caps broadly, you can also consider IWM, which tracks the Russell 2000.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AVUV | Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF | $122.17 | -0.3% | $32.4B | 0.25% | 1.24% | +24.0% |
 VLUE | iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | $186.89 | -0.1% | $9.1B | 0.15% | 1.65% | +42.1% |
 JAVA | JPMorgan Active Value ETF | $84.50 | +0.2% | $7.6B | 0.44% | 1.12% | +20.6% |
 NULV | Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF | $54.83 | -0.0% | $2.6B | 0.26% | 1.34% | +22.5% |
 FVAL | Fidelity Value Factor ETF | $81.28 | -0.3% | $1.4B | 0.15% | 1.51% | +14.8% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 UCTT | Ultra Clean Hldgs Inc | 0.01% | $46.71 | +1.8% | $2.2B | 82.3 | - |
 PENG | Penguin Solutions Inc | 0.01% | $44.64 | -2.3% | $2.7B | 17.4 | - |
 OCFC | OceanFirst Financial Corp | 0.01% | $18.08 | -1.0% | $1.8B | 25.3 | 4.44% |
 TCMD | Tactile Systems Technology Inc | 0.01% | $26.62 | +0.1% | $596.3M | 25.8 | - |
 BTU | Peabody Energy Corp | 0.01% | $16.62 | -2.4% | $2.0B | - | 1.83% |
 NAT | Nordic American Tankers Ltd | 0.01% | $6.50 | +0.0% | $1.4B | 11.1 | 12.38% |
 VSH | Vishay Intertechnology Inc | 0.01% | $26.79 | +1.4% | $4.1B | 43.5 | 1.47% |
 TTI | Tetra Technologies Inc | 0.01% | $5.96 | -2.9% | $884.6M | 106.4 | - |
 PARR | Par Pacific Holdings Inc | 0.01% | $67.04 | -2.3% | $3.4B | 3.5 | - |
 PLAB | Photronics Inc | 0.01% | $28.10 | -2.8% | $1.7B | 9.9 | - |
iShares U.S. Small Cap Value Factor ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in SVAL. As a small-cap value factor product, it requires an upfront understanding of volatility, liquidity and the factor cycle. Checking fees and diversification as well will help you judge whether it fits your own investment profile.
| Checkpoint | What to check | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Needs checking |
| 💧 Liquidity | Daily trading value and bid-ask spread | Relatively small |
| 📊 Diversification | Level of diversification across holdings | Broadly diversified |
| 🔄 Factor cycle | Review of value versus growth phases | May fluctuate |
The main risks are small-cap volatility and the possibility of prolonged weakness in the value factor. In growth-led markets, relative performance can lag for a long time, so a long-term perspective is needed.
It is one option for long-term investors who want diversified exposure to the small-cap value factor. If management approach and fees matter most to you, it is advisable to decide after comparing it with AVUV, IJS and VBR.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 18, 2026.
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