Is Counterpoint High Yield Trend ETF (HYTR) a Strong ETF Right Now?

Core Insights - The Counterpoint High Yield Trend ETF (HYTR) launched on January 21, 2020, offers broad exposure to the High-Yield/Junk Bond ETFs category, with a focus on smart beta strategies [1] Fund Overview - Managed by Counterpoint, HYTR has accumulated over $202.48 million in assets, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The fund aims to replicate the performance of the CP HIGH YIELD TREND INDEX, which targets the US high yield corporate bond market while mitigating risks during market volatility [5] Cost Structure - HYTR has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.79%, making it one of the more expensive options in the high-yield ETF space [6] - The fund offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 5.58% [6] Holdings and Sector Exposure - The ETF's top holding, Ishares Broad Us (USHY), constitutes approximately 39.64% of total assets, followed by Ishares Iboxx Hi (HYG) and Spdr Bloomberg H (JNK) [7] - The top 10 holdings account for about 100.01% of total assets under management, indicating a concentrated investment strategy [8] Performance Metrics - As of October 29, 2025, HYTR has gained approximately 5.12% year-to-date and 5.51% over the past year, with trading values ranging between $20.95 and $22.18 during the last 52 weeks [9] - The fund has a beta of 0.25 and a standard deviation of 6.05% over the trailing three-year period, reflecting its lower volatility compared to peers [10] Alternatives in the Market - Other ETFs in the high-yield space include iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) and iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY), with assets of $19.05 billion and $26.13 billion respectively [12] - HYG has an expense ratio of 0.49%, while USHY charges 0.08%, presenting potentially lower-cost alternatives for investors [12]