Fed Rate Policy Will Determine Whether MDYV’s 26% Exposure Pays Off

Core Viewpoint - The current high valuations of mega-cap tech stocks, such as NVIDIA at 46x earnings, make mid-cap value stocks an attractive alternative for investors seeking lower-risk opportunities [2][3]. Performance Overview - The SPDR S&P 400 Mid-Cap Value ETF (MDYV) has delivered an 11% gain over the past year and a 69% return over the last five years, indicating a significant valuation gap compared to the Nasdaq-100's 98% return during the same period [3][5]. - The fund's performance suggests that mid-cap value stocks have been overlooked as investors have focused on mega-cap tech [3]. Fund Characteristics - MDYV is priced at $89 per share with a 0.15% expense ratio, providing access to nearly 300 mid-cap companies that trade at lower multiples compared to big tech [4]. - The fund allocates 26% to financials and 19% to industrials, making it sensitive to interest rate changes [5][7]. Interest Rate Impact - The trajectory of interest rates is identified as the most significant factor influencing MDYV's performance over the next 12 months, particularly due to its heavy allocation in financials [7]. - Rising interest rates could benefit MDYV's financial holdings by expanding net interest margins, while falling rates could negatively impact these sectors [7][8]. Competitive Comparison - The Vanguard Mid Cap Value ETF (VOE) charges a lower expense ratio of 0.07% and offers a yield of 2.1%, with a turnover rate of 19% compared to MDYV's 37% [5].