SPY and QQQ get most of the news, but they are not the only winners. Small‑ and mid‑cap funds have held up better during March’s fall and are now trading close to fresh highs after April’s breakouts.
This article compares the biggest index ETFs and looks closely at the Russell 2000 fund (IWM). Stay till the end to see a useful tool for tracking many ETFs.
Small‑Cap and Mid‑Cap ETFs Beat SPY and QQQ
In a performance table, each fund is ranked by how far it sits above its 200‑day moving average. The Russell Micro‑Cap fund (IWC) tops the list, sitting nearly 12% above its average. Behind it, the Russell 2000 (IWM) and the S&P SmallCap 600 (IJR) sit more than 10% above their averages. SPY and QQQ are under 5% above theirs.
The year‑to‑date change column shows that the small‑ and mid‑cap ETFs have far larger gains. Even the Nasdaq‑100 equal‑weight fund (QQEW) is down about 5% for the year.
IWM Shows Strong Breakout After March Dip
The Russell 2000 fund (IWM) fell to its 200‑day average in March but closed below that line for only one day. The next day it moved back above the average, while SPY and QQQ fell well below theirs and also broke their November lows.
Funds that stayed above their November lows performed better during March’s weakness. IWM stayed above its low, showing relative strength.
Besides the strength, a bullish pattern called a falling wedge formed on the chart. This shape usually means a short pullback inside a longer uptrend. The market was oversold in early March, then the correction ended with a gap‑up on April 8, confirming the breakout.
Watch the price. If it falls below 250, the breakout could fail and the gap would be filled.
Boost Your Analysis with a Master ETF List
A good analysis starts with an organized list of ETFs. With a Master ETF List, you can run scans, view performance tables, and study candle charts all in one place. The list includes more than 290 ETFs, grouped by broad indexes, sectors, industries, bonds, commodities, crypto, currencies, and alternatives.
Having this organized view helps you spot trends quickly and keep your research focused.
Source: Materials provided by https://articles.stockcharts.com.Note: Content may be edited for style and length.