SQLT - ETF AI Analysis
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iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF (SQLT)
SQLT’s rating suggests it is a solid-quality small-cap ETF, supported by several financially strong and well-positioned companies. Key holdings like Medpace Holdings and East West Bancorp stand out with strong financial performance, positive earnings call sentiment, and supportive technical trends, which lift the fund’s overall quality. Some positions such as Zebra Technologies and Dynatrace face bearish or cautious technical signals and valuation concerns, and the fund’s focus on U.S. small caps means investors are exposed to the added volatility and sector-specific risks typical of this segment.
SQLT vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
- AUM
- 6.77M
- Region
- North America
- Expense Ratio
- 0.20%
- Beta
- 0.52
- Issuer
- iShares
- Inception Date
- Apr 01, 2026
- Dividend Yield
- 0.49%
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Index Tracked
- MSCI USA Small Cap Sector Neutral Quality Index - USD - Benchmark TR Gross
SQLT Summary
The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF (SQLT) is a fund that follows the MSCI USA Small Cap Sector Neutral Quality Index. It focuses on smaller U.S. companies that show strong profits and solid balance sheets. The ETF spreads investments across many sectors, including holdings like The New York Times and Lattice Semiconductor. Someone might invest in SQLT to tap into the growth potential of small companies while aiming for a bit more stability than a typical small-cap fund. A key risk is that small-cap stocks can be more volatile and can go up and down sharply with the market.
How much will it cost me?
This ETF has an expense ratio of 0.20%, which means you’ll pay about $2 per year for every $1,000 you invest. That cost is a bit higher than the cheapest index ETFs because it uses a rules-based “quality factor” strategy rather than simply tracking the entire small-cap market, but it’s still relatively low compared with many actively managed funds.
What would affect this ETF?
This ETF could benefit if the U.S. economy stays healthy, interest rates stabilize or fall, and demand remains strong for industrial, technology, and financial companies, since it focuses on smaller, profitable U.S. firms like Fabrinet, Royal Gold, and the New York Times. On the downside, a U.S. recession, rising interest rates that hurt small businesses, or sector-specific setbacks in areas like industrials, tech, or regional banks could weigh on the fund, and any new regulations or credit tightening affecting smaller companies could also be a drag.
SQLT Top 10 Holdings
SQLT’s story is all about high‑quality U.S. small caps, with a clear tilt toward tech and industrial innovators. Onto Innovation, Lattice Semiconductor, and Zebra Technologies have been doing the heavy lifting, with rising share prices that give the fund a solid tech backbone. TD SYNNEX and Medpace add steady support from the IT and health care corners. On the flip side, National Fuel Gas and Royal Gold have been losing steam lately, acting as mild brakes rather than outright drags in this otherwise U.S.-focused, broadly diversified small-cap lineup.
| Name | Company Name | Weight % | Market Value | Market Cap | Yearly Gain | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 NFG | National Fuel Gas Company | 1.19% | $80.13K | $7.65B | -1.91% | 77Outperform |
 MANH | Manhattan Associates | 1.05% | $70.98K | $13.89B | 22.35% | 75Outperform |
 RGLD | Royal Gold | 0.85% | $56.85K | $19.27B | 24.00% | 78Outperform |
 ZBRA | Zebra Tech | 0.88% | $59.51K | $18.28B | 23.12% | 72Outperform |
 SNX | TD SYNNEX Corporation | 0.88% | $59.11K | $19.73B | 61.22% | 73Outperform |
 MEDP | Medpace Holdings | 0.90% | $60.23K | $18.72B | 12.17% | 79Outperform |
 EWBC | East West Bancorp | 0.85% | $57.07K | $17.97B | 28.66% | 79Outperform |
 EXEL | Exelixis | 0.83% | $55.56K | $15.99B | 69.59% | 78Outperform |
 DT | Dynatrace | 0.81% | $54.25K | $18.51B | 28.25% | 77Outperform |
 THC | Tenet Healthcare | 0.79% | $53.15K | $21.62B | 29.74% | 74Outperform |
SQLT Technical Analysis
Price Trends
Market Momentum
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SQLT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 28.02 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 27.87, below the 50-day MA of 28.28, and compared to the 200-day MA of , indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.04 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 50.66 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 91.21 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SQLT.
SQLT Peer Comparison
Comparison Results
| Name | Price | Price Target | AUM | Expense Ratio | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQLT | $28.02 | $31.00(10.64% Upside) | $6.77M | 0.20% | 72Outperform |
 BKSE | $42.21 | $53.08(25.75% Upside) | $85.04M | 0.04% | 65Neutral |
 RUSC | $36.05 | $50.38(39.77% Upside) | $82.07M | 0.64% | 64Neutral |
 AIMS | $26.73 | $34.96(30.80% Upside) | $83.04M | 0.75% | 65Neutral |
 STXK | $36.38 | $46.25(27.12% Upside) | $78.79M | 0.18% | 65Neutral |
 SYZ | $29.25 | $36.90(26.13% Upside) | $62.66M | 0.61% | 65Neutral |
Performance Comparison
| Show on chart | Ticker | Company Name | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQLT | iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF | 28.02 | 2.32 | 9.04% | |
| BKSE | BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF | 42.21 | 5.02 | 13.48% | |
| RUSC | US Small Cap Equity Active ETF | 36.05 | 5.08 | 16.41% | |
| AIMS | Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF | 26.73 | 1.55 | 6.14% | |
| STXK | Strive 2000 ETF | 36.38 | 3.00 | 8.98% | |
| SYZ | Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF | 29.25 | 4.36 | 17.50% |
This AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.