Hunting for Aggressive Growth ETFs? Here Are 5 Options That Deserve Your Attention

The growth factor is having a moment. After a brutal 2018—where growth ETFs stumbled badly in Q4, declining 14.90% while the broader S&P 500 dropped just 4.60%—momentum has shifted dramatically. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 Growth Index has surged nearly 9%, signaling renewed investor appetite for higher-risk, higher-reward strategies.

If you’re considering diving into aggressive growth ETFs, the landscape offers compelling opportunities. However, success requires picking the right vehicles. Let’s explore five standout options that balance growth potential with reasonable fee structures.

iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) – The Low-Cost Leader

Fee Structure: 0.04% annually ($4 per $10,000 invested)

This $5.50 billion fund delivers what growth investors crave: expansive exposure without breaking the bank. Trading on NASDAQ under the ticker IUSG, this nearly two-decade-old ETF tracks the S&P 900 Growth Index—a broader universe than competitors tethered to the S&P 500.

Holding 534 stocks, IUSG mitigates concentration risk while capturing growth dynamics. Three-year volatility sits at just over 12%, which is manageable for an aggressive growth play. The fund leans heavily into tech and consumer discretionary sectors (combined ~37% allocation), with Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon (AMZN) anchoring the portfolio at roughly 12% combined weight.

RPG and RZG: The “Pure Growth” Specialists

Invesco S&P 500 Pure Growth ETF (RPG) – 0.35% fee Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF (RZG) – 0.35% fee

For purists demanding stricter growth credentials, Invesco’s dual offerings deliver. RPG filters the S&P 500 through rigorous metrics: sales growth, earnings-to-price ratios, and momentum signals. This screening produces a tighter portfolio of just 104 holdings with no single position exceeding 2.12%.

RZG, the small-cap variant, cranks up the volatility equation. Over three years, RZG has proven 170 basis points more volatile than the S&P SmallCap 600 Index—yet compensated investors with a 240 basis point performance edge. Its 149 holdings sport a $2 billion average market cap, placing them at the larger end of small-cap territory.

Healthcare dominates RZG (21.15% weight), while consumer discretionary and financial services add another 30%. Premium valuations are baked in: RZG trades at a 22.78 P/E versus the 20.09 found on broader small-cap benchmarks.

FTC: Aggressive Positioning With Caveats

First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) – 0.61% fee

FTC targets the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index through a multi-factor ranking system balancing growth indicators (price appreciation, sales-to-price, sales growth) against value metrics. The tactical approach appeals to sophisticated traders, but historical performance tells a cautionary tale.

Over the past three years, FTC has trailed the S&P 500 Growth Index significantly, suggesting higher fees haven’t translated to outperformance. Housing 188 stocks with disciplined position-sizing (max 1.07% per holding), nearly a quarter of FTC’s allocation concentrates in tech.

NUMG: ESG-Focused Growth for Values-Driven Investors

Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG) – 0.40% fee

This two-year-old fund ($54.40 million AUM) bridges growth ambitions with environmental, social, and governance standards. Its stringent screening process—evaluating climate impact, labor practices, supply chain ethics, and board quality—yields just 82 holdings.

Industrial and technology sectors comprise nearly half the roster, offering mid-cap growth exposure with a conscience.

The Bottom Line on Aggressive Growth ETFs

Growth factor resurgence hinges on sustained risk appetite and cyclical sector momentum. Aggressive growth ETFs offer genuine upside potential but demand conviction. IUSG suits cost-conscious investors; RPG and RZG appeal to purists; FTC attracts tactical traders; NUMG satisfies ESG-focused portfolios.

Before committing capital, honestly assess your volatility tolerance—these vehicles swing harder than broad-market alternatives.