Market Watch · U.S. small caps

Russell 2000

A benchmark for smaller U.S. companies within the Russell 3000 universe.

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Benchmark history

Russell 2000

History period

2,975.65+7.38 (+0.25%)

1 month: −0.9%
3 months: +5.0%
Year to date: +19.9%
12 months: +26.5%

Previous close · index points: 2,968.27
Session low · index points: 2,951.04
Session high · index points: 2,976.66
52-week low · index points: 2,303.46
52-week high · index points: 3,069.71

Understanding the benchmark

What does this index mean?

The Russell 2000 tracks the smaller-company segment of the Russell 3000 U.S. stock universe. Membership and company weights change under the index provider’s rules.

Why should I care?

It broadens the view beyond large companies. Smaller businesses may have different access to financing and different exposure to customer demand, so their results can diverge from large-cap indexes.

What it leaves out.

Small-company stocks can be volatile and less liquid. A stronger session does not establish that smaller companies will outperform, or that every constituent is doing well.

A question worth asking.

What role do smaller companies play in my portfolio, and is the added variability appropriate for my time horizon?

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