Russell 2000
Quick Definition
A stock market index tracking 2,000 small-cap U.S. companies, widely used as a benchmark for small-cap performance.
Key Takeaways
- The Russell 2000 tracks 2,000 small-cap U.S. companies.
- It is reconstituted annually in June based on market capitalization.
- Small-caps are more volatile and domestically focused than large-caps.
What Is Russell 2000?
The Russell 2000 Index is a stock market index that measures the performance of approximately 2,000 small-cap companies in the United States. It comprises the bottom 2,000 stocks of the Russell 3000 Index, which represents the 3,000 largest U.S. publicly traded companies. Maintained by FTSE Russell (a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group), the Russell 2000 is reconstituted annually in June, with companies ranked by market capitalization. The index is the most widely cited benchmark for small-cap stock performance and is used as the basis for numerous ETFs and mutual funds (such as IWM, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF). Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 tend to be more domestically focused, more sensitive to U.S. economic conditions, and more volatile than large-cap benchmarks like the S&P 500. The Russell 2000 is often viewed as a barometer of the broader U.S. economy and investor risk appetite.
Russell 2000 Example
- 1The Russell 2000 gained 25% in late 2020 as investors rotated from mega-cap tech into small-cap value stocks.
- 2Annual Russell reconstitution in June causes significant trading volume as index funds rebalance their holdings.
Related Terms
Market Index
A statistical measure tracking the performance of a group of stocks representing a market or sector.
NASDAQ
The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations — the second-largest stock exchange globally, known for its concentration of technology and growth companies.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
A price-weighted index of 30 large U.S. blue-chip stocks, one of the oldest and most-watched market benchmarks.
Mid-Cap
Companies with a market capitalization between $2 billion and $10 billion, often balancing growth potential with relative stability.
Micro-Cap
Companies with a market capitalization between $50 million and $300 million, offering high growth potential but also elevated risk and limited liquidity.
Stock
A security representing ownership in a corporation, entitling the holder to a share of profits and voting rights.
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