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IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML)

$34.95 +$0.24 (+0.71%) |CouncilHOLD · 44 · C
Bottom line: HOLD — our Council read (44/100) and AI Score (44/100) broadly agree.
MCap: $184.77M| Vol: 14.7K|
Data from FMP · Methodology

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) trades at $34.95 with AI Score 44/100 (Grade C). IQ Chaikin U. S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) focuses on small-cap U. Market cap: $184.77M, Sector: Financial services.

Price live · AI analysis from Mar 18, 2026
IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) focuses on small-cap U.S. equities, utilizing a quantitative model to identify potentially outperforming securities. The fund aims to provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks selected based on the Chaikin Power Gauge.

Analyst Coverage for CSML: CSML does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates CSML against Financial Services peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns an underweight signal based on the underlying data.

Council Score · Weighted Average of 3 Disciplines
HOLD 44/100 · C

CSML: the 1 perspectives are evenly split.

How is this calculated? →
Council Score · 8 perspectives · See tabs for details →

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) Financial Services Profile

IPO Year2017

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) offers investors exposure to U.S. small-capitalization stocks, employing the Chaikin Power Gauge, a quantitative model, to select securities from the Nasdaq US 1500 Index. With a focus on identifying outperformers, CSML provides a diversified investment vehicle within the asset management sector.

Data Provenance | Financial Data Quantitative Analysis NASDAQ Analysis: Mar 18, 2026

What Is the Investment Thesis for CSML?

CSML presents an investment opportunity for those seeking exposure to the small-cap U.S. equity market through a quantitatively driven approach. The fund's reliance on the Chaikin Power Gauge offers a systematic method for identifying potentially undervalued or high-growth small-cap stocks. A beta of 0.96 indicates that the fund's price is slightly less volatile than the market. Catalysts include the continued refinement and validation of the Chaikin Power Gauge model, which could lead to enhanced stock selection and improved performance. However, potential risks include the inherent volatility of small-cap stocks and the possibility that the Chaikin Power Gauge may not consistently identify outperformers in all market conditions. The fund's success is tied to the effectiveness of its quantitative model and its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

CSML Key Highlights

  • CSML invests at least 80% of its assets in securities of small-capitalization U.S. issuers, providing targeted exposure to this market segment.
  • The fund utilizes the Chaikin Power Gauge, a quantitative multi-factor model, to select securities expected to outperform peers.
  • CSML's underlying index is the Nasdaq US 1500 Index, offering a broad universe of stocks for potential inclusion.
  • The fund's expense ratio reflects the cost of active management and the implementation of its quantitative investment strategy.
  • With a beta of 0.96, CSML exhibits slightly less volatility compared to the broader market.

Who Are CSML's Competitors?

CSML is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

Company Price Change Market Cap AI Score
ACLC American Century ETF Trust - American Century Large Cap Equity ETF $84.65 +0.63% $308.13M 46
ADRE Invesco BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund $38.20 +0.16% $127.97M 44
CAPE DoubleLine Shiller CAPE U.S. Equities ETF $32.84 -0.39% $255.92M 44
CHAD Direxion Daily CSI 300 China A Share Bear 1X Shares $19.39 +0.00% $197.39M 44
DGL Invesco DB Gold Fund $51.96 +1.39% $187.04M 44
NXDT NexPoint Diversified Real Estate Trust $5.53 +3.08% $285.77M 73
GENB Generate Biomedicines, Inc. $17.03 -2.18% $2.18B 72
SII Sprott Inc. $118.11 +2.72% $3.05B 71

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are CSML's Key Strengths?

  • Proprietary Chaikin Power Gauge model.
  • Diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks.
  • ETF structure provides liquidity and transparency.
  • Established brand recognition of Chaikin Analytics.

What Are CSML's Weaknesses?

  • Reliance on a single quantitative model.
  • Potential for model underperformance in certain market conditions.
  • Small market cap may limit trading volume.
  • Vulnerable to changes in the underlying index methodology.

What Could Drive CSML Stock Higher?

  • Continued refinement and validation of the Chaikin Power Gauge model.
  • Potential for increased investor interest in small-cap stocks as the economy recovers.
  • Growing adoption of quantitative investing strategies.

What Are the Key Risks for CSML?

  • Underperformance of the Chaikin Power Gauge model in certain market conditions.
  • Volatility inherent in small-cap stocks.
  • Increased competition from other small-cap ETFs.
  • Economic downturn affecting small-cap companies.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for CSML?

  • Expansion of the Chaikin Power Gauge Model: Ongoing refinement and enhancement of the Chaikin Power Gauge model could lead to improved stock selection and enhanced performance. By incorporating new data sources, refining existing factors, and adapting to changing market dynamics, the model could become even more effective at identifying outperformers. The timeline for these enhancements is ongoing, as Chaikin Analytics continuously seeks to improve the model's predictive capabilities. A more robust model would attract more capital to CSML.
  • Increased Adoption of Quantitative Investing: The growing popularity of quantitative investing strategies presents a significant growth opportunity for CSML. As more investors embrace data-driven approaches to investment management, the demand for ETFs that utilize quantitative models is likely to increase. CSML's reliance on the Chaikin Power Gauge positions it to capitalize on this trend. The timeline for this growth is expected to be gradual, as quantitative investing continues to gain acceptance within the broader investment community.
  • Strategic Partnerships and Distribution Agreements: Forming strategic partnerships with financial advisors, brokerage firms, and other distribution channels could significantly expand CSML's reach and increase its assets under management. By gaining access to a wider pool of potential investors, CSML could accelerate its growth trajectory. The timeline for establishing these partnerships is dependent on negotiations and agreements with potential partners, but could be achieved within the next 1-2 years.
  • Development of Thematic ETFs Based on the Chaikin Power Gauge: Leveraging the Chaikin Power Gauge to create new thematic ETFs focused on specific sectors, industries, or investment themes could attract a wider range of investors. By tailoring ETFs to specific investment preferences, CSML could tap into new market segments and further diversify its product offerings. The timeline for developing these thematic ETFs is dependent on market research and product development, but could be launched within the next 2-3 years.
  • International Expansion: While CSML currently focuses on the U.S. small-cap market, expanding its investment universe to include international small-cap stocks could open up new growth opportunities. By adapting the Chaikin Power Gauge to international markets, CSML could offer investors exposure to a broader range of investment opportunities. The timeline for international expansion is dependent on regulatory considerations and market research, but could be pursued within the next 3-5 years.

What Opportunities Does CSML Have?

  • Expansion into new thematic ETFs.
  • Increased adoption of quantitative investing strategies.
  • Strategic partnerships with financial advisors.
  • International expansion.

What Threats Does CSML Face?

  • Increased competition from other small-cap ETFs.
  • Changes in market sentiment towards small-cap stocks.
  • Regulatory changes impacting the ETF industry.
  • Economic downturn affecting small-cap companies.

What Are CSML's Competitive Advantages?

  • Proprietary Chaikin Power Gauge model provides a differentiated approach to stock selection.
  • Established track record of the Chaikin Analytics brand lends credibility to the fund.
  • ETF structure offers liquidity and transparency to investors.

What Does CSML Do?

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with targeted exposure to the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. The fund operates by investing at least 80% of its assets in the securities of small-cap U.S. issuers. CSML's investment strategy centers around the Chaikin Power Gauge, a proprietary quantitative model developed by Chaikin Analytics. This model analyzes various factors to identify securities with the potential to outperform their peers. The Chaikin Power Gauge considers factors such as price-volume activity, earnings performance, and fundamental strength to assess the attractiveness of individual stocks. The fund selects its holdings from the Nasdaq US 1500 Index, a broad benchmark representing a significant portion of the U.S. equity market. By applying the Chaikin Power Gauge to this universe of stocks, CSML aims to construct a portfolio of small-cap companies with strong potential for capital appreciation. The ETF structure allows investors to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks through a single investment vehicle, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness. CSML's focus on quantitative analysis and its emphasis on identifying outperformers differentiate it from traditional market-cap-weighted small-cap ETFs.

What Products and Services Does CSML Offer?

  • Invests primarily in securities of small-capitalization U.S. issuers.
  • Applies the Chaikin Power Gauge to select securities from the Nasdaq US 1500 Index.
  • Aims to identify securities expected to outperform their peers.
  • Provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks.
  • Offers a convenient and cost-effective way to invest in the small-cap market segment.
  • Employs a quantitative, multi-factor model for stock selection.

How Does CSML Make Money?

  • Generates revenue through management fees charged on assets under management (AUM).
  • AUM growth is driven by fund performance and investor inflows.
  • Expenses include operational costs, marketing, and distribution fees.

What Industry Does CSML Operate In?

CSML operates within the asset management industry, specifically focusing on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that target the small-cap equity market. The ETF market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing investor demand for low-cost, diversified investment vehicles. The competitive landscape includes a variety of small-cap ETFs, each with its own investment strategy and underlying index. CSML differentiates itself through its reliance on the Chaikin Power Gauge, a quantitative model designed to identify stocks with the potential to outperform.

Who Are CSML's Key Customers?

  • Individual investors seeking exposure to small-cap U.S. equities.
  • Financial advisors looking for diversified investment solutions for their clients.
  • Institutional investors seeking to allocate capital to the small-cap market segment.
AI Confidence: 81% Updated: Mar 18, 2026

How IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF Is Valued

Relative to its peer group, CSML's quantitative score of 44/100 is roughly in line with the peer average of 44/100.

CSML Financials

Bull Case vs Bear Case

Bull Case

  • Proprietary Chaikin Power Gauge model.
  • Diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks.
  • ETF structure provides liquidity and transparency.
  • Established brand recognition of Chaikin Analytics.

Bear Case

  • Reliance on a single quantitative model.
  • Potential for model underperformance in certain market conditions.
  • Small market cap may limit trading volume.
  • Vulnerable to changes in the underlying index methodology.

AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · July 2026

CSML Latest News

No recent news available for CSML.

CSML Analyst Consensus

Consensus Rating

Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for CSML.

Price Targets

Wall Street price target analysis for CSML.

CSML MoonshotScore

44/100

What does this score mean?

The MoonshotScore rates CSML's growth potential on a scale of 0-100 across multiple factors including innovation, market disruption, financial health, and momentum.

What Investors Ask About IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) — Financial Services

What does IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF do?

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of small-capitalization U.S. equities. The fund employs a quantitative approach, utilizing the Chaikin Power Gauge model to select securities from the Nasdaq US 1500 Index. This model aims to identify stocks with the potential to outperform their peers, offering investors a systematic way to participate in the small-cap market segment. The fund generates revenue through management fees charged on assets under management.

What are the main risks for CSML?

The main risks for CSML include the potential underperformance of the Chaikin Power Gauge model, the inherent volatility of small-cap stocks, and increased competition from other small-cap ETFs. The effectiveness of the Chaikin Power Gauge model is crucial to the fund's success, and any shortcomings in the model could negatively impact performance. Small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap stocks, which could lead to greater price fluctuations in CSML. The ETF market is highly competitive, and CSML faces competition from numerous other small-cap ETFs.

How sensitive is CSML to interest rate changes?

CSML's sensitivity to interest rate changes is indirect, as it invests in small-cap companies rather than fixed-income securities. However, interest rate changes can impact the valuations and profitability of the small-cap companies held within the fund. Rising interest rates can increase borrowing costs for these companies, potentially dampening their growth prospects. Conversely, falling interest rates can lower borrowing costs and stimulate economic activity, which could benefit small-cap companies. The overall impact of interest rate changes on CSML will depend on the specific characteristics of the companies within its portfolio and their sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations.

What regulatory challenges does IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF face?

As an exchange-traded fund, IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF is subject to regulatory oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Key regulatory challenges include compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, which governs the structure and operation of investment companies. The fund must also adhere to regulations regarding disclosure, transparency, and investor protection. Compliance costs include legal fees, accounting expenses, and the cost of maintaining internal controls. Changes in regulations could increase compliance costs or impact the fund's investment strategy.

What are the key factors to evaluate for CSML?

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) holds an AI score of 44/100 (low). Not financial advice.

How frequently does CSML data refresh on this page?

CSML prices update in real time during U.S. market hours. Fundamentals refresh after quarterly filings; analyst ratings and AI insights update daily; news is aggregated continuously.

What has driven CSML's recent stock price performance?

IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Proprietary Chaikin Power Gauge model. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.

Should investors consider CSML overvalued or undervalued right now?

Valuing IQ Chaikin U.S. Small Cap ETF (CSML) requires multiple metrics. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Official Resources

Price as of Analysis updated AI Score refreshed daily
Data Sources & Methodology
Market data powered by Financial Modeling Prep & Yahoo Finance. AI analysis by Stock Expert AI proprietary algorithms. Technical indicators via industry-standard calculations. Last updated: .
Data Provenance
Sources: Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) — Primary · Yahoo Finance — Fallback · Alpaca — Tertiary
Last fetched:
Cache TTL: Quote 5min · Profile 7d · Financials 7d · Insider 48h
How we use AI: Numbers are pulled directly from FMP & Yahoo Finance — our AI writes the analysis, it never edits the figures.
Data provided as-is for educational purposes. Not financial advice. Methodology

Data provided for informational purposes only.

Analysis Notes
  • AI analysis is pending for CSML, which may provide further insights into the company's prospects.
  • The Chaikin Power Gauge model is a proprietary tool, and its effectiveness is subject to market conditions.
Data Sources

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