Recorded at the Exchange ETF Conference in Las Vegas, host Ryan Nauman welcomes Sal Esposito, Head of ETFs at Zacks Investment Management, to discuss why market leadership driven by mega-cap tech and AI is shifting back toward fundamentals. Esposito explains Zacks’ disciplined process focused on earnings, analyst estimate revisions, and balance sheets, calling 2026 a “prove it” year for AI as investors look under the hood for real results. They cover how Zacks applies its Zacks Indicator model across products, why active management can add value in small/mid caps and international equities, and how geopolitical uncertainty and interest-rate expectations can affect market breadth and international performance. Esposito also shares updates on Zacks’ growing ETF lineup, including international exposure.
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Learn more about Zacks Investment Management here.
00:00 Welcome and Disclosures
00:38 Live From ETF Conference
01:37 Meet Sal Esposito
02:04 Zacks ETF Growth Story
03:05 AI Hype vs Fundamentals
04:30 Prove It Year for AI
08:05 Earnings Driven Process
10:42 International ETF Expansion
12:21 Small Mid Cap Active Edge
16:08 International Outlook 2026
19:37 Active Defense in Downturns
20:30 Where to Learn More
20:46 Closing and Subscribe
