IQSM NYLI Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF

NYLI Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) currently reports 241 stock positions (subject to change), placing it in the index-like in breadth range by holdings breadth. The top line-up is FTI (1.35%), UTHR (1.06%), XPO (1.03%), with FTI as the largest single weight at 1.35%. Together, the top three holdings account for 3.44%, which reflects a construction where the top positions carry meaningful but not outsized influence on aggregate returns. In aggregate, the construction reflects a balance between directional conviction and the diversification benefits that come from a broader holding set.

On the question of capital productivity, ROIC is 14.27%, WACC is 8.57%, and the economic spread is 5.70%. On balance, returns on capital just exceed funding costs, implying limited but real value creation at the margin. Supporting metrics show ROE at 19.63% and ROA at 4.91%, a combination that helps frame whether profitability strength is broad enough to hold through different market conditions. Taken together, the return profile suggests a portfolio that is value-creative but with less room for execution slippage.

On a multiple basis, the portfolio trades at trailing P/E of 20.75, forward P/E of 15.92, PEG of 2.82. Forward P/E is broadly in line with trailing, suggesting analysts are not projecting a material change in profitability over the coming year. The PEG reading is high enough to suggest the market is attributing significant optionality or quality premium to the portfolio's underlying businesses. The portfolio's holdings carry a current ratio of 3.64, pointing to strong short-term financial health. The valuation setup is broadly consistent with a market that is pricing growth without being reckless about it — a balanced but not cautious stance.

The margin stack reads as follows: gross margin sits at 44.32%, operating margin at 13.17%, and free cash flow margin at 16.01%. The gross margin reading points to holdings with solid but not outsized pricing power relative to direct costs. The portfolio's operating margins leave limited room between gross profit and operating earnings — a sign of cost pressure. FCF margins are constructive here, reflecting holdings that generate cash reliably after reinvestment requirements. The margin profile is a mixed read — some holdings are clearly well-run, but the aggregate numbers point to a basket that is not uniformly high-quality.

Where growth and expectations intersect, the estimated 12-month price change of 18.64%, where analyst assumptions support a moderate upside case if execution remains steady, while TTM revenue growth of 21.75% suggesting the portfolio's businesses are collectively capturing meaningful market share or pricing power. The projected 12-month EPS growth rate of 30.3% is a standout component of the forward case — meaningful earnings expansion at this scale typically warrants attention from growth-oriented investors. Both signals are useful lenses, but they tend to diverge most sharply near inflection points in both business fundamentals and market sentiment. The durability of both the operating trend and analyst optimism will determine whether the current setup translates into measurable near-term returns. The estimated 12-month price change is a weighted composite of analyst price target estimates adjusted by each holding's ETF weight, sourced from publicly available data, and should not be interpreted as a reliable prediction of future performance.

Putting all the pieces together, the fundamental picture is one of the more convincing setups in these metrics — strong capital returns, reasonable pricing, and a healthy forward outlook.

The views expressed above are derived from quantitative data only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on your own research and risk tolerance.