SQLT - ETF AI Analysis
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iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF (SQLT)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:―
Positive Factors
Strong Year-To-Date Results
The ETF has delivered solid gains so far this year, showing that its strategy has recently worked well for investors.
Quality Top Holdings
Many of the largest positions, such as Carpenter Technology, TD SYNNEX, Sterling Infrastructure, and Lattice Semiconductor, have shown strong performance, helping support the fund’s overall returns.
Diversified Sector Mix
Holdings spread across industrials, technology, financials, health care, and several other sectors help reduce the impact if any one industry runs into trouble.
Negative Factors
Recent Short-Term Weakness
The ETF has slipped over the past month, which may signal some short-term volatility or a pause in its recent strength.
Heavy U.S. Concentration
With almost all assets in U.S. companies and very little exposure abroad, the fund is highly tied to the health of the U.S. market.
Mixed Performance Among Top Holdings
While many top holdings are performing well, some positions like Royal Gold have been weak, which can drag on overall results if that continues.
SQLT vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
AUM6.93M
RegionNorth America
Expense Ratio0.20%
Beta0.51
IssueriShares
Inception DateApr 01, 2026
Dividend YieldN/A
Asset ClassEquity
Index TrackedMSCI USA Small Cap Sector Neutral Quality Index - USD - Benchmark TR Gross
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)N/A
Shares OutstandingN/A
10 Day Avg. Volume214
30 Day Avg. Volume383
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG RatioN/A
Price to Book (P/B)N/A
Price to Sales (P/S)N/A
P/FCF RatioN/A
Enterprise Value/Market CapN/A
Enterprise Value/RevenueN/A
Enterprise Value/Gross ProfitN/A
Enterprise Value/EbitdaN/A
Forecast
1Y Price Target
33.76Price Target Upside― Downside
Rating ConsensusModerate Buy
Number of Analyst Covering486
EPS Forecast (FY)N/A
Revenue Forecast (FY)N/A
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 about U.S. small caps where quality is in the driver’s seat. Tech and industrial names like Manhattan Associates and Sterling Infrastructure have been rising sharply, giving the fund a solid boost, while Woodward and Carpenter Technology have recently lost some steam, tempering gains from earlier strength. Financials such as East West Bancorp are steady contributors, and Medpace and Tenet Healthcare add a healthy dose of momentum from the medical side. With broad sector balance and all holdings U.S.-based, no single name dominates, keeping the fund diversified even as a few standouts steer performance.
Name | Company Name | Weight % | Market Value | Market Cap | Yearly Gain | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Fuel Gas Company | 1.17% | $81.06K | $7.89B | -4.35% | 77 Outperform | |
| Manhattan Associates | 0.94% | $65.42K | $13.02B | 3.64% | 75 Outperform | |
| Royal Gold | 0.93% | $64.40K | $22.27B | 46.37% | 78 Outperform | |
| TD SYNNEX Corporation | 0.86% | $59.43K | $20.31B | 71.52% | 73 Outperform | |
| East West Bancorp | 0.80% | $55.27K | $17.73B | 23.11% | 79 Outperform | |
| Zebra Tech | 0.78% | $54.18K | $16.86B | 12.41% | 72 Outperform | |
| Medpace Holdings | 0.77% | $53.46K | $16.77B | 26.32% | 79 Outperform | |
| Carpenter Technology | 0.77% | $53.36K | $23.61B | 97.79% | 75 Outperform | |
| Woodward | 0.77% | $53.32K | $20.18B | 38.48% | 79 Outperform | |
| Tenet Healthcare | 0.75% | $51.76K | $21.48B | 44.74% | 74 Outperform |
SQLT Technical Analysis
Positive
―
Price Trends
28.81
Positive
28.19
Positive
Market Momentum
-0.03
Positive
48.76
Neutral
50.96
Neutral
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 undefined is equal to the 20-day moving average (MA) of 29.14, equal to the 50-day MA of 28.81, and equal to the 200-day MA of ―, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.03 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.76 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.96 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SQLT.
SQLT Peer Comparison
Comparison Results
Performance Comparison
SQLT
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF
28.89
3.11
12.06%
BKSE
BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF
―
―
―
AIMS
Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF
―
―
―
STXK
Strive 2000 ETF
―
―
―
RUSC
US Small Cap Equity Active ETF
―
―
―
SYZ
Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF
―
―
―
Glossary
BuyAn ETF rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldAn ETF rated as a "Hold" s expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the ETF is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellAn ETF rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF may deliver lower returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
DisclaimerThis 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.Date of analysis: ―
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