Welcome to ETF Edge, your go-to place for all things exchange traded funds. I'm your host, Contessa Brewer, sitting in today for Dominic 2. Most investors, of course, are laser focused on that next Fed meeting in December. Our next two guests advise, be wary of seeing the forest for the trees. Joining me now is John Davi, CIO at Atoria Portfolio Advisors, and Sophia Massie, the CEO of Lion Shares. Good to see both of you today. John, let's kick it off with you. I I have this song stuck in my head based on y ...

Core Viewpoint - The company aims to generate a 7%+ income yield by investing in a portfolio of energy stocks while minimizing the risk of principal loss [1] Group 1 - The service offers subscribers access to exclusive investment ideas earlier than they are released to the general public, with many ideas not being released at all [1] - Subscribers receive more in-depth research compared to what is available to the general public [1] - A two-week free trial is currently being offered for the service [1]

By Davide Barbuscia and Anirban Sen NEW YORK (Reuters) -With the U.S. government shutdown threatening to freeze October’s inflation report, the Treasury is expected to deploy a workaround to compute the index underpinning the $2.1 trillion market for inflation-protected bonds for the first time since their 1997 launch, a move that may cause pricing quirks as traders adjust their calculations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has said it has halted all data collection and publishing during the shutdown, apa ...

gold south korea, gold rally, gold buy,. Photo by BeInCrypto South Korea's central bank is contemplating a return to gold buying for the first time since 2013, signaling a potential shift in its reserve management strategy. The move comes amid growing demand for the precious metal, as investors seek protection from inflation and currency weakness. Bank of Korea Weighs Buying Gold Again According to the latest data by the World Gold Council (WGC), as of October, the Bank of Korea held 104.4 tons of gold, ...

Core Insights - Precious metals, including silver, platinum, and palladium, are gaining traction among investors as valuable portfolio additions alongside traditional gold [1][15][17] - Each metal serves unique industrial and investment purposes, which can help investors set realistic expectations regarding their performance and risks [2][17] Group 1: Silver - Silver is widely used for both investment and industrial applications, including electronics and solar panels, and is purchased in forms such as coins and jewelry [3][17] - The metal is characterized by lower liquidity and higher volatility compared to gold, making it more challenging to liquidate quickly [3][17] - Silver prices tend to rise during periods of increased industrial demand, supply constraints, and economic turmoil, providing inflation protection [3][16][17] Group 2: Platinum - Platinum is rarer than gold and silver, primarily used in jewelry and catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions [4][17] - Its value is more volatile due to fluctuations in industrial demand and limited supply, predominantly sourced from South Africa [4][17] - Platinum is viewed as a stabilizing trade with long-term value linked to energy conversion [5][17] Group 3: Palladium - Palladium is even scarcer than platinum and is utilized in jewelry and automotive manufacturing, often in conjunction with platinum in catalytic converters [7][17] - The pricing of palladium is heavily influenced by automotive demand and can react quickly to geopolitical events [7][17] - Due to its low liquidity and high volatility, palladium is considered a short-term investment option [7][14][17] Group 4: Investment Options - Investors can choose between digital and physical formats for investing in precious metals [9][10][11] - Digital options include basket funds and single-metal ETFs, while physical investments involve purchasing bullion, bars, coins, or jewelry [10][11][17] - Mining stocks represent another investment avenue, with companies like Hecla Mining and Sibanye-Stillwater focusing on silver and platinum/palladium, respectively [10][17] Group 5: Investment Strategies - Investment goals dictate how precious metals are approached, whether as long-term hedges or short-term trades [12][17] - Long-term investors can use these metals as a hedge against inflation, with recommendations to allocate 3% to 5% of their portfolio to precious metals [13][17] - For short-term gains, selling metals individually is an option, though it is riskier and more suited for experienced traders [14][17]

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is positioned to attract more investor interest due to its competitive yield of 3.8% amid a backdrop of falling interest rates, making it an appealing option for those seeking income and inflation protection [2][8]. Group 1: Performance and Yield - Since its launch in 2011, SCHD has returned 211.8%, although it has underperformed the S&P 500, its primary goal remains to provide steady dividend income [2]. - The fund currently pays an annual dividend of $1.03 per share, yielding 3.8%, which is competitive with the U.S. ten-year Treasury yield and sufficient to outpace current inflation rates near 3% [3]. Group 2: Institutional Activity - Recent institutional activity shows mixed signals, with Bank of America and Raymond James reducing their positions in SCHD, likely due to lower interest rates favoring more profitable lending activities [4]. - Conversely, firms like Osaic Holdings and MML Investors Services have increased their stakes in SCHD, indicating a strategy to hedge against inflation while securing dividend income [5]. Group 3: Sector Exposure - SCHD's portfolio includes significant holdings in the energy sector, such as ConocoPhillips and Chevron, which could provide capital appreciation if inflation drives oil prices higher [6][7]. - This combination of income and growth potential makes SCHD an attractive option for investors looking for stability and upside in their portfolios [8].

Core Viewpoint - The current macroeconomic environment is characterized by potential inflation risks driven by tariff policies, suggesting that fixed income investors should consider treasury-inflation protected securities (TIPS) ETFs as a defensive strategy [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Analysis - The Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP) and the Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) are highlighted as effective tools for managing inflation risk, especially in light of rising inflation expectations due to tariff policies [2][3]. - VTP aims to provide returns that align closely with realized inflation by investing in TIPS with intermediate and long-term maturities, offering greater yield potential while maintaining inflation protection [3][4]. - VTIP focuses on TIPS with short-term maturities of less than five years, which helps mitigate additional rate risk [3][4]. Group 2: Cost and Transparency - Both VTP and VTIP are cost-effective options for inflation protection, with expense ratios of 0.05% and 0.03% respectively [4]. - The ETFs provide greater transparency compared to holding individual bonds, allowing investors to better track TIPS exposure [5]. Group 3: Price Dynamics - The value of ETFs changes in real-time based on market conditions, unlike individual TIPS, which do not reflect price changes until sold before maturity [6][7]. - This real-time pricing mechanism of ETFs allows for more frequent updates on value, providing a clearer picture of investment performance [6][7].

Core Canadian Equity ETFs - The Canadian stock market is heavily influenced by financials and energy sectors, leading to a lack of diversification [1][7] - The TSX Composite Index, which includes 300 of the largest publicly traded companies in Canada, is the most popular index for capturing the Canadian stock market [5] - The TSX 60 Index, which holds 60 of the largest companies, is another significant index, with a similar sector allocation to the TSX Composite [8][18] Performance Analysis - The iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC) rose 4.95% in August, outperforming the average Canadian equity fund which gained 3.61% [16] - Over the past year, XIC increased by 25.77%, compared to the average fund's 21.35% [16] - The iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (XIU) rose 4.79% in August and has climbed 24.51% over the past year, also outperforming the average fund [17] Sector Exposure and Investment Strategy - XIC is considered more diversified than XIU due to its greater exposure to materials and less reliance on financials [11] - The materials sector, including gold and mining stocks, is seen as inflation-friendly, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty [13] - Canadian banks have historically outperformed many other sectors, but caution is advised against over-concentration in financials [7][18] Additional ETF Options - Vanguard's Canadian High Dividend ETF (VDY) increases financials concentration beyond that of XIU and has outperformed the TSX 60 by about 1% annually [19] - iShares Canadian Quality Dividend ETF (XDIV) focuses on quality stocks and includes defensive utilities, providing a concentrated portfolio of 20 stocks [20] - BMO's Low Volatility ETF (ZLB) is favored for its defensive approach and historical outperformance with less volatility [21]

Core Insights - Gold has emerged as a safe haven asset, doubling in value over the past three years, attracting more investors amid geopolitical turbulence, and experiencing increased analyst price targets as the Federal Reserve prepares for potential rate cuts [1] Price Performance - Gold prices have surged over 40% this year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 10% gain and bitcoin's 20% increase, indicating a strong demand for the precious metal [2] Economic Context - The rise in gold prices reflects a negative economic sentiment, as it typically serves as a barometer of financial turmoil, with investors seeking refuge in gold during uncertain times [3] - The current economic landscape features a record high for tech stocks, yet gold's peak is occurring simultaneously, suggesting a complex relationship between different asset classes [4] Interest Rates and Market Dynamics - Anticipation of lower interest rates, potentially as a response to a struggling labor market, has energized markets, making gold more attractive compared to risk-free investments [6] - The post-pandemic political climate has disrupted traditional alliances and increased tensions, prompting investors to hedge against US assets [7] Currency and Inflation - The US dollar has faced significant losses, with the first half of 2025 marking its largest decline since 1973, leading to increased pressure on the currency and enhancing gold's appeal as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation [8]

Investment Opportunity - Crypto has potential for big long‑term gains [1] Risk Consideration - Crypto may provide inflation protection [1] Question Posed - Asks whether crypto belongs in your retirement portfolio [1]