ETF Comparisons Update the Case for Small‑Cap Upside, Mid‑Cap Stability, and Tech Exposure

Overview

• Yahoo Finance released updated head‑to‑head ETF snapshots Wednesday using April 27 data, highlighting new performance spreads across value, small‑cap, and technology funds.
• In value ETFs, SPDR SLYV gained 43.40% over 12 months versus 26.50% for iShares IJJ, underscoring the tradeoff between small‑cap upside and steadier mid‑cap exposure at slightly higher cost for IJJ.
• Among tech funds, State Street’s XLK charges 0.08% and returned 54.90%, while iShares’ IYW returned 53.70% with a 0.38% fee and broader exposure that also includes Alphabet through a communication‑services slice.
• For broad small‑cap exposure, Schwab’s SCHA delivered 44.10% over 12 months with about 1,728 holdings, compared with 38.70% for SPDR’s SPSM, which runs a leaner S&P 600 approach at a 0.03% fee.
• Vanguard’s VB remains the low‑cost, high‑liquidity option at a 0.03% fee and $164.6 billion in assets, while SCHA led recent returns at 44.10%, reinforcing how index design and fees shape both diversification and results.