iShares Russell 2000 ETF vs Star Bulk Carriers Corp — how do they compare? iShares Russell 2000 ETF trades at $278.44 (market cap $77.70B), while Star Bulk Carriers Corp trades at $29.78 (market cap $3.54B). The key difference: iShares Russell 2000 ETF is far larger — about 21.9× Star Bulk Carriers Corp's market cap, and Star Bulk Carriers Corp pays a 6.17% dividend while iShares Russell 2000 ETF pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares Russell 2000 ETF for 83 Days and Star Bulk Carriers Corp for 24 Days on average.
| IWM | SBLK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $77.70B | $3.54B |
Volume | 35,598,983 | 1,437,622 |
52-Week High | $305.06 | $32.49 |
52-Week Low | $229.13 | $16.79 |
Typical Hold Time | 83 Days | 24 Days |
Sector | — | Industrials |
Enterprise Value | — | $4.22B |
Dividend Yield | — | 6.17% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
IWM trades at $277.72, down 1.27% amid broader small-cap weakness. Technical indicators show a bearish trend with resistance at $278 and support at $275. The ETF faces headwinds from Federal Reserve rate hikes and underperformance relative to large-cap indices over the past decade. Recent news highlights concerns about small-cap risk premiums and competition from more selective small-cap funds.
The outlook remains cautious as rising interest rates pressure small-cap valuations. Opportunities exist for long-term investors seeking diversification from tech-heavy large caps, but near-term risks include economic sensitivity and narrow market breadth. The bearish technical setup suggests further downside potential unless macroeconomic conditions improve.
Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) trades at $29.69, down 0.57% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite strong fundamental performance. The company delivered three consecutive earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.21 exceeding expectations by 27%. Revenue grew 45% year-over-year, and management maintains a 100% free cash flow distribution policy, recently declaring a $0.90 dividend payable September 3, 2026.
SBLK presents a compelling value opportunity with attractive valuation metrics (P/E 11.95, P/S 2.86) and strong profitability (23.87% net margin). Analyst consensus leans bullish (58% buy ratings), but technical weakness and shipping market volatility pose near-term risks. The stock's 61% annual gain reflects strong operational execution, though current price action suggests consolidation after recent highs.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Latest headlines on both assets
The ETF is designed to track the performance of the securities and the stocks in the Russell 2000 Index. To maintain the composition and weightings, the advisor adjusts the ETF from time to time to conform to periodic changes in the index target.
Read more on IWM →Star Bulk Carriers Corp. is a global shipping company specializing in the seaborne transportation of dry bulk commodities. The company owns and operates a large fleet of bulk carriers, primarily transporting major commodities such as iron ore, coal, and grain. SBLK focuses on the Capesize, Post Panamax, and Kamsarmax vessel segments, providing critical logistical services to commodity producers and consumers worldwide.
Read more on SBLK →