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Should You Invest in the Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH)?
ZACKSยท2025-08-18 11:20

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) is a passively managed fund designed to provide broad exposure to the financial sector, appealing to both institutional and retail investors due to its low costs and tax efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - VFH was launched on January 26, 2004, and has accumulated over $12.63 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the financial sector [3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index, which measures investment returns in the financial sector [3]. Group 2: Cost Structure - VFH has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.09%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the ETF market [4]. - The fund offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.71% [4]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF is fully allocated to the financial sector, with approximately 100% of its portfolio dedicated to this area [5]. - Major holdings include Jpmorgan Chase & Co (9.6% of total assets), Berkshire Hathaway Inc, and Mastercard Inc [6]. Group 4: Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, VFH has returned approximately 9.53%, with a 12-month return of about 23.7% as of August 18, 2025 [7]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.01 and a standard deviation of 18.85% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [7]. Group 5: Alternatives - VFH holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is a strong option for investors seeking exposure to the financial sector [8]. - Other alternatives include the iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF (EUFN) and the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF), with respective assets of $4.44 billion and $52.72 billion [9][10].