5 Small-Cap ETFs Hover Around an All-Time High: Here's Why
Small-Cap Stocks Performance: Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000 Index, have underperformed compared to larger indices this year, with a 13.6% increase versus higher gains in the S&P 500 and other major indices. However, some small-cap ETFs are showing promising growth, indicating potential for recovery.
Economic Indicators and Market Outlook: The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3% in Q2, exceeding expectations, which is favorable for small-cap stocks due to their domestic focus. Additionally, recent job gains and a Federal Reserve interest rate cut may further support small-cap performance amidst geopolitical tensions that have less impact on these stocks.
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ETF Analyst Target Price: The Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) has an implied analyst target price of $46.75 per unit, indicating an 11.02% upside from its current trading price of $42.11.
Notable Holdings with Upside Potential: Key underlying holdings such as Robert Half Inc, Adtalem Global Education Inc, and Sprinklr Inc show significant potential for price increases based on analysts' target prices, suggesting optimism about their future performance.
Impact of Tariffs on Investors: President Trump's decision to impose new tariffs has created uncertainty in the market, which is not favorable news for investors.
Long-term Investment Strategy: Despite market fluctuations, long-term investors, particularly those contributing to retirement accounts, are likely to continue investing in the stock market while seeking ways to mitigate risks.
Momentum Factors Weakening: Jefferies strategist Steven G. DeSanctis notes that momentum factors, particularly Price Momentum, weakened in December and are expected to continue declining in Q1 2025, despite a generally positive performance of quantitative factors throughout 2024.
Quality Factor Outperformance: The Quality factor block performed well in December with a +4.3% spread, contrasting with disappointing results from other factors like "Growth at a Reasonable Price" and the Risk (Off) block, which underperformed despite market declines.
Small-Cap Stocks Performance: Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000 Index, have underperformed compared to larger indices this year, with a 13.6% increase versus higher gains in the S&P 500 and other major indices. However, some small-cap ETFs are showing promising growth, indicating potential for recovery.
Economic Indicators and Market Outlook: The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3% in Q2, exceeding expectations, which is favorable for small-cap stocks due to their domestic focus. Additionally, recent job gains and a Federal Reserve interest rate cut may further support small-cap performance amidst geopolitical tensions that have less impact on these stocks.
Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF Overview: Launched in 2017, the Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) aims to provide exposure to small-cap blend stocks and has accumulated over $331 million in assets, with a focus on high-quality securities based on specific fundamental measures.
Performance and Comparison: The ETF has shown an 8.10% increase this year and a 22.71% rise over the past year, but investors may also consider lower-cost alternatives like iShares Russell 2000 ETF and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF for potentially better returns and lower risk.
Small-Cap Stocks Performance: Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000 Index, have underperformed compared to larger indices this year, with a 4.4% increase versus over 21% gains in major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100, largely due to higher borrowing costs affecting capital expenditure.
Economic Growth and Labor Market: The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3% in Q2, exceeding expectations, which bodes well for small-cap stocks as they are more domestically focused; additionally, unemployment claims fell below expectations, indicating a stable labor market amidst recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.










