Is Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 03 2024
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Overview of Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF (ISMD): Launched in 2017, ISMD is a smart beta ETF that aims to match the performance of the Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact Equal Weight Index, focusing on 500 inspiring small and mid-cap U.S. companies, with an expense ratio of 0.59% and a current dividend yield of 1.28%.
Performance and Comparison: The ETF has shown a 7.93% increase recently and a 25.50% rise over the past year, while also being compared to other ETFs like iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF, which offer lower expense ratios and potentially lower risk options for investors.
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Analyst Views on UNIT
Wall Street analysts forecast UNIT stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 11.040
Low
6.00
Averages
6.88
High
8.00
Current: 11.040
Low
6.00
Averages
6.88
High
8.00
About UNIT
Uniti Group Inc. is a premier insurgent fiber provider dedicated to enabling mission-critical connectivity across the United States. It offers advanced communications services, including fiber-based broadband to residential and business customers, managed cloud communications and security services for enterprises and government entities and tailored wave and transport solutions for carriers, content providers and large cloud computing and storage service providers. Its segments include Kinetic, Uniti Solutions, and Fiber Infrastructure. Kinetic segment offers local and long-distance voice services and Web conferencing products. Uniti Solutions segment includes software solutions and network connectivity. Fiber Infrastructure segment offers network bandwidth to other telecommunications carriers, network operators, content providers and storage service providers. Its portfolio of services is offered through a suite of brands: Uniti Wholesale, Kinetic, Uniti Fiber, and Uniti Solutions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kinetic Achieves Gigabit Internet Access in Hazard Community
- Community Gigabit Coverage: Kinetic announced that over 75% of homes in the Hazard community now have access to its high-speed next-generation internet, marking a significant advancement in the region's digital infrastructure and enhancing residents' quality of life.
- Support for Economic Growth: Currently, 8,900 homes benefit from Kinetic's future-proof internet, providing faster and more reliable connectivity that supports work, education, streaming, and telehealth, thereby promoting economic growth and opportunities.
- Business Growth Potential: Research indicates that fiber-connected communities experience a 213% higher business growth rate, a 10% increase in self-employment, and a 14-17% rise in home values, demonstrating the significant economic benefits of Kinetic's investments.
- Commitment to Ongoing Investment: Kinetic was named the 2026 Best Rural Fiber Provider and continues to expand its fiber network in Kentucky, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality internet services to more homes and businesses.
See More
Searchlight Capital Fully Exits Uniti Group Shares
- Shareholding Change: Searchlight Capital sold its entire holding of 2,273,504 Uniti Group shares in Q1 2026, with an estimated trade size of $17.82 million, marking a complete exit from the position which now represents 0% of its assets under management.
- Asset Management Impact: The transaction resulted in a 16.29% reduction in Searchlight's 13F reportable assets, with a quarter-end position value decline of $15.94 million, highlighting the direct impact of market fluctuations on the fund's assets.
- Financial Performance: Despite Uniti Group achieving $441.6 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, indicating strong customer growth, the company reported a net loss due to high interest expenses and significant capital requirements, raising concerns about its financial flexibility.
- Future Growth Target: Uniti's management aims to pass 3.5 million homes with fiber by the end of 2029, and while facing challenges in network expansion, the ability to convert new fiber passings into paying customers will be crucial for future stock performance.
See More
Searchlight Capital Fully Exits Uniti Group Stake
- Stake Change: According to a May 15, 2026 SEC filing, Searchlight Capital sold its entire holding of 2,273,504 Uniti Group shares in Q1, resulting in a $15.94 million decline in the stake's quarter-end value due to trading activity and price fluctuations.
- Asset Management Status: Following the sale, Uniti Group now represents 0% of Searchlight Capital's 13F reportable assets, with its top holding LILAK valued at $108.89 million, accounting for 99.5% of total AUM.
- Financial Performance: As of May 14, 2026, Uniti Group shares were priced at $11.25, reflecting a 42.6% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 15.29 percentage points, indicating strong market performance.
- Future Challenges: Uniti Group's transformation faces two main challenges: expanding the Kinetic consumer network and monetizing wholesale fiber demand; despite strong customer growth in Q1, the company reported a net loss due to high interest expenses and capital requirements, prompting investors to assess its ability to translate fiber expansion into financial flexibility.
See More
Diameter Capital Increases Stake in Uniti Group with $32.78 Million Purchase
- Share Acquisition: On May 15, 2026, Diameter Capital Partners disclosed the purchase of 4,181,528 shares of Uniti Group, valued at approximately $32.78 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Increased Stake: Following this acquisition, Diameter Capital's total holdings in Uniti rose to 5,681,528 shares, with the quarter-end value increasing by $42.78 million from the previous filing, demonstrating a solid commitment to its investment in Uniti.
- Strong Market Performance: As of May 14, 2026, Uniti's stock price stood at $11.25, reflecting a 42.6% increase over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 15.29 percentage points, showcasing its robust market position.
- Positive Industry Outlook: Uniti, a REIT focused on communications infrastructure, is benefiting from surging demand driven by artificial intelligence, planning to invest over $1 billion in fiber network construction by 2029, which, while pressuring near-term profitability, presents significant long-term growth potential.
See More
Uniti Wholesale Expands Fiber Infrastructure in South-Central U.S.
- Network Expansion Plan: Uniti Wholesale announced the expansion of its fiber infrastructure across Jackson, Birmingham, and Tulsa to support the growing hyperscale and cloud demand in the South-Central U.S., which is expected to significantly enhance regional network service capabilities.
- Customer Agreement Signed: This expansion is accompanied by a 20-year, $500 million contract with customers, indicating the company's strong commitment to meeting market demands while laying the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Infrastructure Investment: Uniti plans to expand 1,100 route miles of ultra-high-capacity fiber infrastructure, a move that will not only enhance network transmission capacity but also strengthen the company's position in a competitive market.
- Slight Stock Price Increase: Following the announcement of the expansion plan, Uniti's stock price has slightly increased to approximately $11.12, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's future growth potential.
See More
Uniti Wholesale Expands Infrastructure and Customer Agreements
- Market Expansion Opportunity: Uniti Wholesale signed new metro dark fiber agreements in Mississippi, totaling 4,313 contracted fiber miles, demonstrating the company's ability to capture additional demand and drive revenue growth from infrastructure deployed in 2024.
- Infrastructure Investment: In Alabama, Uniti initiated a new 69-route-mile metro build featuring high-count fiber and multiple conduits, further enhancing its network investments in the state, which is expected to improve customer service capabilities.
- Market Expansion Agreement: In Oklahoma, Uniti secured a new 50-rack colocation agreement, supporting its ultra-high-capacity routes connecting Tulsa to Dallas and Amarillo, further advancing market expansion and enhancing network connectivity.
- Long-Term Commitment Advantage: Uniti's owner-operator model creates a higher level of accountability in infrastructure development, allowing for scalable network architecture design based on customer needs, thus maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI and cloud markets.
See More
Kinetic Achieves Gigabit Internet Access in Hazard Community
- Community Gigabit Coverage: Kinetic announced that over 75% of homes in the Hazard community now have access to its high-speed next-generation internet, marking a significant advancement in the region's digital infrastructure and enhancing residents' quality of life.
- Support for Economic Growth: Currently, 8,900 homes benefit from Kinetic's future-proof internet, providing faster and more reliable connectivity that supports work, education, streaming, and telehealth, thereby promoting economic growth and opportunities.
- Business Growth Potential: Research indicates that fiber-connected communities experience a 213% higher business growth rate, a 10% increase in self-employment, and a 14-17% rise in home values, demonstrating the significant economic benefits of Kinetic's investments.
- Commitment to Ongoing Investment: Kinetic was named the 2026 Best Rural Fiber Provider and continues to expand its fiber network in Kentucky, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality internet services to more homes and businesses.
See More
Searchlight Capital Fully Exits Uniti Group Shares
- Shareholding Change: Searchlight Capital sold its entire holding of 2,273,504 Uniti Group shares in Q1 2026, with an estimated trade size of $17.82 million, marking a complete exit from the position which now represents 0% of its assets under management.
- Asset Management Impact: The transaction resulted in a 16.29% reduction in Searchlight's 13F reportable assets, with a quarter-end position value decline of $15.94 million, highlighting the direct impact of market fluctuations on the fund's assets.
- Financial Performance: Despite Uniti Group achieving $441.6 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, indicating strong customer growth, the company reported a net loss due to high interest expenses and significant capital requirements, raising concerns about its financial flexibility.
- Future Growth Target: Uniti's management aims to pass 3.5 million homes with fiber by the end of 2029, and while facing challenges in network expansion, the ability to convert new fiber passings into paying customers will be crucial for future stock performance.
See More
Searchlight Capital Fully Exits Uniti Group Stake
- Stake Change: According to a May 15, 2026 SEC filing, Searchlight Capital sold its entire holding of 2,273,504 Uniti Group shares in Q1, resulting in a $15.94 million decline in the stake's quarter-end value due to trading activity and price fluctuations.
- Asset Management Status: Following the sale, Uniti Group now represents 0% of Searchlight Capital's 13F reportable assets, with its top holding LILAK valued at $108.89 million, accounting for 99.5% of total AUM.
- Financial Performance: As of May 14, 2026, Uniti Group shares were priced at $11.25, reflecting a 42.6% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 15.29 percentage points, indicating strong market performance.
- Future Challenges: Uniti Group's transformation faces two main challenges: expanding the Kinetic consumer network and monetizing wholesale fiber demand; despite strong customer growth in Q1, the company reported a net loss due to high interest expenses and capital requirements, prompting investors to assess its ability to translate fiber expansion into financial flexibility.
See More
Diameter Capital Increases Stake in Uniti Group with $32.78 Million Purchase
- Share Acquisition: On May 15, 2026, Diameter Capital Partners disclosed the purchase of 4,181,528 shares of Uniti Group, valued at approximately $32.78 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Increased Stake: Following this acquisition, Diameter Capital's total holdings in Uniti rose to 5,681,528 shares, with the quarter-end value increasing by $42.78 million from the previous filing, demonstrating a solid commitment to its investment in Uniti.
- Strong Market Performance: As of May 14, 2026, Uniti's stock price stood at $11.25, reflecting a 42.6% increase over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 15.29 percentage points, showcasing its robust market position.
- Positive Industry Outlook: Uniti, a REIT focused on communications infrastructure, is benefiting from surging demand driven by artificial intelligence, planning to invest over $1 billion in fiber network construction by 2029, which, while pressuring near-term profitability, presents significant long-term growth potential.
See More
Uniti Wholesale Expands Fiber Infrastructure in South-Central U.S.
- Network Expansion Plan: Uniti Wholesale announced the expansion of its fiber infrastructure across Jackson, Birmingham, and Tulsa to support the growing hyperscale and cloud demand in the South-Central U.S., which is expected to significantly enhance regional network service capabilities.
- Customer Agreement Signed: This expansion is accompanied by a 20-year, $500 million contract with customers, indicating the company's strong commitment to meeting market demands while laying the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Infrastructure Investment: Uniti plans to expand 1,100 route miles of ultra-high-capacity fiber infrastructure, a move that will not only enhance network transmission capacity but also strengthen the company's position in a competitive market.
- Slight Stock Price Increase: Following the announcement of the expansion plan, Uniti's stock price has slightly increased to approximately $11.12, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's future growth potential.
See More
Uniti Wholesale Expands Infrastructure and Customer Agreements
- Market Expansion Opportunity: Uniti Wholesale signed new metro dark fiber agreements in Mississippi, totaling 4,313 contracted fiber miles, demonstrating the company's ability to capture additional demand and drive revenue growth from infrastructure deployed in 2024.
- Infrastructure Investment: In Alabama, Uniti initiated a new 69-route-mile metro build featuring high-count fiber and multiple conduits, further enhancing its network investments in the state, which is expected to improve customer service capabilities.
- Market Expansion Agreement: In Oklahoma, Uniti secured a new 50-rack colocation agreement, supporting its ultra-high-capacity routes connecting Tulsa to Dallas and Amarillo, further advancing market expansion and enhancing network connectivity.
- Long-Term Commitment Advantage: Uniti's owner-operator model creates a higher level of accountability in infrastructure development, allowing for scalable network architecture design based on customer needs, thus maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI and cloud markets.
See More
