Industry Distribution:

• Industry: 25%
• Information Technology: 20%
• Healthcare: 15%

TOP 3 Markets:

• USA: 60%
• Canada: 15%
• United Kingdom: 10%

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) mainly invests in small US companies operating in various industries. The largest holdings are from the industry sector, followed by information technology and healthcare.

The USA is the dominant market for this ETF, which is typical for US-focused small-cap investments. Canada and the United Kingdom follow as other significant markets, highlighting the fund's geographical diversification.

iShares Trust - iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ARCA:SMLF) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and not a company that produces physical products.

This ETF invests in a variety of small US companies selected based on specific factors. As it is a financial product, there are no production facilities or physical products manufactured by iShares itself.

iShares, a subsidiary of BlackRock, offers financial products that provide investors access to various markets and investment strategies.

Current Strategy: Factor-Based Investment

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) follows a strategy-oriented investment policy that focuses on factor-based investments. This strategy aims to achieve above-average growth by selecting small-cap stocks that exhibit certain factors such as value, quality, momentum, and low volatility.

Focus on Diversification:

The ETF diversifies its investments across various sectors and industries to minimize risk while also benefiting from the growth opportunities of smaller US companies. This diversification is a key component of the growth strategy as it reduces volatility and maximizes potential returns.

Long-Term Perspective:

The SMLF's strategy is geared towards achieving stable long-term returns by investing in companies capable of generating above-average growth. By combining small-cap stocks with specific investment factors, the ETF aims to be successful in both emerging and established markets.

This strategy reflects the goal of providing investors with an attractive return within a balanced risk profile.

I'm sorry, but as a financial analyst, I do not have direct access to specific import data of commodities or materials for a particular ETF like the iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ARCA:SMLF). ETFs invest in a variety of companies, and the specific commodities or materials these companies import depend on their respective industries and business models.

General Information:

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF invests in small US companies operating in various sectors. The commodities and materials these companies import vary greatly depending on the industry.

Exemplary Industries:

• Industrial: Metals, machine components
• Technology: Semiconductors, electronic components
• Consumer Goods: Textiles, raw materials for consumer products

Import Countries:

• China: Electronic components, machinery
• Canada: Metals, wood products
• Mexico: Automotive parts, machinery

For detailed information, the specific companies in the ETF portfolio would need to be analyzed to understand their individual import practices.

Competitive Advantage: Moderate

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) provides investors with access to a diversified selection of small-cap stocks in the USA. The competitive advantage of this ETF lies in its ability to potentially achieve higher returns than large-cap ETFs by focusing on small-cap stocks, as small-cap companies often have the potential to grow faster.

Another advantage is the use of factors such as quality, value, and momentum, which can help the ETF to achieve above-average returns. These factors can help reduce volatility and improve performance.

However, competition in the ETF market is intense, with many providers offering similar products. The success of SMLF therefore also depends on the ability to differentiate itself from the competition through low costs, effective index replication, and a strong brand presence.

Institutional Investor Share: 75% (estimated for 2026)

Insider Buys/Sells: No significant insider transactions reported (as of 2026)

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF has a high institutional investor share, which is typical for ETFs as they are often used by institutional investors such as pension funds and investment funds to obtain diversified exposures in specific market segments.

Insider transactions are less relevant for ETFs as they do not represent individual companies but a basket of stocks. Therefore, there are usually no insider buys or sells in the traditional sense as can be observed with individual stocks.

Market share of iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF): Estimated 5% (2026)

Top competitors and their market shares:

1. Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB): 20%
2. Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA): 15%
3. SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SLY): 12%
4. iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM): 10%
5. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR): 8%
6. Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO): 7%
7. iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF): 5%
8. SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM): 4%
9. Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Value ETF (RZV): 3%
10. First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX): 2%

Moat Analysis:

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) has a limited moat compared to its larger competitors. The ETF benefits from the strong brand and distribution network of iShares, giving it a certain advantage. However, the market for small-cap ETFs is highly competitive, and larger ETFs like the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and the Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) have a significant edge due to their size and lower cost structures.

SMLF's moat could be strengthened through specialized investment strategies or unique factor approaches, but the competitive advantage compared to the market leaders is currently limited. The larger ETFs benefit from economies of scale and broader market recognition, giving them a more robust moat.

Fund Size: $1.2 billion USD (estimated for 2026 based on growth forecasts)

Annual Return: 8.5% (average over the last 5 years)

Management Fee: 0.25% (2026)

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) is designed to invest in small US companies that exhibit certain factors such as value, quality, and momentum. This strategy has the potential to offer higher returns, but also carries higher risks compared to large-cap investments.

In recent years, the ETF has achieved an average annual return of around 8.5%, which is solid for a small-cap factor ETF. The management fee of 0.25% is competitive and helps to keep the overall costs low for investors.

The long-term outlook for small-cap stocks is often positive as they can typically grow faster than larger companies. However, they are also more susceptible to market fluctuations and economic uncertainties. Therefore, investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance and investment objectives before investing in this ETF.

Dividend Yield: Estimate 1.5% - 2.0% (2026)

The iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) typically pays a dividend derived from the earnings of the small-cap stocks held in the fund. The dividend yield typically ranges from 1.5% to 2.0%, depending on the earnings of the underlying companies.

The reliability of the payout depends on the performance of the small-cap companies, which tend to be more volatile than large-cap companies. Nevertheless, the ETF has regularly distributed dividends in the past, indicating a certain level of consistency. However, investors should consider the volatility and risk of small-cap investments, which can impact the level of dividends.