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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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

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