Is This The Best Small-Cap ETF To Buy? Analyst Weighs In

Group 1 - The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA: IJR) is identified as one of the top trending stocks, with significant interest from investors due to recent market movements and predictions of productivity gains from AI [1] - Bill Baruch, founder and President of Blue Line Capital and Blue Line Futures, expressed his investment in IJR, noting a sharp sell-off in SPY and IJR, and a subsequent response from the Russell 2000 index following comments from Fed Chair Powell about the endgame to quantitative tightening [1] - The small-cap index represented by IJR is considered slimmer, which may provide a breakout opportunity in the small-cap sector [1] Group 2 - While IJR is acknowledged as a potential investment, there is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer higher returns with limited downside risk, suggesting a preference for AI stocks over IJR for some investors [2] - A report is mentioned that highlights an extremely cheap AI stock benefiting from Trump tariffs and onshoring, indicating a focus on specific AI opportunities [2]