Core Insights - The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) provides broader sector exposure with over 300 tech-related holdings, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) focuses on 30 leading U.S. semiconductor stocks, appealing to different investment strategies [2][10] Cost & Size - SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.34% and AUM of $16.7 billion, while VGT has a lower expense ratio of 0.09% and AUM of $130.0 billion [3] - The one-year return for SOXX is 41.81%, compared to VGT's 16.10%, and SOXX offers a higher dividend yield of 0.55% versus VGT's 0.41% [3][4] Performance & Risk Comparison - SOXX has a max drawdown of -45.75% over five years, while VGT's max drawdown is -35.08% [5] - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $2,346 for SOXX and $2,154 for VGT, indicating stronger performance for SOXX despite its higher risk [5] Holdings Overview - VGT includes 322 stocks with top holdings in Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, reflecting long-term stability over its nearly 22-year history [6] - SOXX is concentrated on 30 companies, heavily weighted towards Broadcom, Advanced Micro Devices, and Nvidia, making it suitable for investors seeking precise exposure to U.S. chipmakers [7] Investment Implications - VGT's broader portfolio and lower expense ratio may appeal to cost-conscious investors, while SOXX's higher one-year return and dividend yield may attract income-driven investors [4][9] - Greater diversification in VGT results in less price volatility, with a lower beta compared to SOXX, which may provide an advantage in a declining market [11]

On the flip side, Steve Conners, president of Conners Wealth Management, said he’s looking at the large cap healthcare sector, particularly at pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. “The artificial intelligence theme has left them mostly ignored. Valuations are still attractive at current levels,” he said. He is avoiding health insurers in the broader healthcare space, however, saying they remain under too much pressure with the focus on rising health insurance premiums. “I’m not really interested in being the ...

Core Insights - The Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) and the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) focus on delivering above-average income through strong dividend profiles [1] Expense Structure and Size - FDVV has an expense ratio of 0.15% and AUM of $7.7 billion, while VYM has a lower expense ratio of 0.06% and AUM of $84.6 billion [3] - FDVV offers a higher dividend yield of 3.02% compared to VYM's 2.42% [3] Performance and Risk Comparison - Over five years, FDVV has a max drawdown of -20.17% compared to VYM's -15.87% [4] - Growth of $1,000 over five years is $1,772 for FDVV and $1,565 for VYM [4] Portfolio Composition - VYM holds 566 stocks with significant sector exposure in financial services (21%), technology (18%), and healthcare (13%) [5] - FDVV invests in 107 holdings with a heavier tilt towards technology (26%), followed by financial services (19%) and consumer defensive (12%) [6] Investment Implications - FDVV provides higher yield but comes with a higher expense ratio, which may affect net earnings [7] - VYM is more diversified with a broader mix of stocks, potentially offering more stability [9] - FDVV may appeal to those seeking higher earnings despite its volatility, while VYM may suit investors looking for diversification and lower fees [10]

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) target U.S. small-cap stocks but differ in costs, diversification, and income potential [5][6] - IJR has a larger asset base of $88 billion and higher liquidity with an average daily trading volume of over 6 million shares, making it more appealing for investors prioritizing liquidity [7] - ISCB offers broader diversification with 1,539 holdings and a lower expense ratio of 0.04% compared to IJR's 0.06%, which may attract cost-conscious investors [3][8] Cost Comparison - IJR provides a higher dividend yield of 1.9% compared to ISCB's 1.2%, which is significant for income-focused investors [3][8] - The expense ratio for ISCB is 0.04%, while IJR charges 0.06%, indicating a marginal cost advantage for ISCB [3][8] Portfolio Composition - IJR holds 635 names with significant sector weights in financial services, industrials, and technology, while ISCB has a more diversified portfolio with 1,539 holdings across similar sectors [1][2][8] - The largest positions in ISCB, such as Ciena, Coherent, and Rocket Lab, each account for less than 1% of assets, reflecting its diversified approach [2] Investment Strategy - Investors seeking maximum liquidity and confidence in fund size may prefer IJR, while those looking for lower costs and broader diversification might opt for ISCB, despite its lower trading volume [9]

Core Insights - Both the Vanguard Information Technology ETF and the Invesco Semiconductors ETF are focused on the tech sector, particularly linked to the artificial intelligence industry, but they employ different investment strategies [2] Group 1: Investment Strategies - The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) offers a diversified portfolio with 322 tech stocks across various subsectors, including semiconductors, software, hardware, infrastructure, and manufacturing services [4] - The Invesco Semiconductor ETF (PSI) is less diversified, containing only 30 semiconductor stocks, which increases its risk but may lead to higher total returns due to its targeted approach [6] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Over the last 10 years, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF has achieved an average annual return of 22.18%, while the Invesco Semiconductor ETF has outperformed with a 24.98% average annual return [8] Group 3: Risk and Return Considerations - The diversification in the Vanguard ETF can help limit risk during market volatility, but it may also dilute returns from lower-performing stocks [5] - The Invesco ETF's narrow focus on semiconductor stocks increases its risk but can potentially lead to greater earnings [6]

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant trend in 2025 where diversified investment strategies achieved strong returns, despite a general shift away from these strategies by investors [2][11][15] - Retail investors have been moving away from balanced and multi-asset funds, leading to 13 consecutive quarters of outflows in traditional blended strategies [7][15] - There is a growing concern among strategists that the abandonment of diversification could expose portfolios to risks, especially in a market characterized by high valuations and concentration in technology stocks [5][15] Investment Trends - Value-oriented equity ETFs attracted over $56 billion in inflows in 2025, marking the second-largest annual inflow since at least 2000, indicating a shift towards value investing [11][16] - Small-cap and international stocks are expected to outperform, with strategists predicting a broadening of US earnings growth into 2026 [12][16] - Alternative assets, including private credit, infrastructure, and digital assets, are gaining traction as investors seek exposure beyond traditional public markets [14][16] Market Dynamics - The 2022 bond market turmoil, driven by aggressive central bank tightening, has negatively impacted investor confidence in fixed income as a stabilizing asset [8][16] - The article notes that despite the focus on AI and tech, 2025 was characterized by a broader trend of global diversification rather than a singular focus on stocks [2][15] - There are indications of market froth, with some strategists warning that current market conditions may not align with fundamental valuations [13][16]

Core Insights - The upcoming deal between major pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. government aims to reduce prescription drug prices, raising questions about the potential impact on Big Pharma's profitability [1] - The current focus is on Medicaid pricing, which represents about 10% of total U.S. prescription drug spending and often features discounts exceeding 80% [2][3] Group 1: Market Reactions - Concerns regarding price compression and margins have led Pfizer to predict a challenging year, but analysts generally do not foresee significant issues for the broader pharmaceutical sector [3] - Market fluctuations initially driven by political concerns have eased, particularly following efforts to align U.S. drug prices with those in other developed countries [4] Group 2: ETF Performance - Diversified health care ETFs, such as the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund and the Vanguard Health Care ETF, have shown resilience, with both funds increasing by over 1% [5] - Managed care companies and health care technology firms, which are less affected by Medicaid pricing, provide a buffer against potential pressures on pharmaceutical stocks [6] Group 3: Specialized ETFs - More focused ETFs like the iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF and the SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF are directly impacted by pricing negotiations, but their diversified structures mitigate risks associated with individual companies [7][8] - Despite the challenges, these specialized ETFs have also seen positive performance, with increases of 1.3% and 2% respectively [8] Group 4: Investment Outlook - The pressure on drug pricing is viewed more as a volatility issue rather than a fundamental threat to the industry, with broad health care ETFs well-positioned to manage the situation [9] - Diversification remains a key strategy for investors to navigate potential market fluctuations related to drug pricing policies [9]

Joining us now on set to give his take and provide some value stock picks is Chris Crosanti. He is chief market strategist at MAI Capital Management. Chris, good to see you.>> You too, Mike. >> Um, you know, so there's been a glimmer of of life uh from value stocks. They've actually outperformed this month, right.>> Actually, quarter to date. I think S&P value is winning. >> On the other hand, we've seen these head head fakes before.How are you just thinking about the overall market behavior, what it means ...

Core Insights - Emerging markets showed strong performance in 2025, with stocks rising approximately 26% despite geopolitical and tariff uncertainties [1] - Investor sentiment towards emerging markets has significantly improved, with net sentiment reaching a record high according to an HSBC survey [2] Market Performance - The Dow Jones Emerging Markets Index has increased by 18.64% year to date, outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has gained 15.19% during the same period [3] - Emerging market equity funds experienced inflows of $2.78 billion in the week ending December 10, marking the seventh consecutive week of net buying [7] Investment Trends - Investors are diversifying away from U.S. equity trades, particularly in light of concerns over a potential AI-driven bubble, leading to increased interest in emerging market funds [4][6] - The weakening U.S. dollar and expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts are enhancing the attractiveness of emerging market funds [8][9] Fund Recommendations - Suggested emerging market equity ETFs include iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG), Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO), and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) [11] - For emerging market bonds, recommended ETFs include iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF (VWOB) [14] Economic Fundamentals - Emerging market fundamentals are strengthening, with improvements in sovereign credit gaining momentum year after year, as noted by a strategist at Morgan Stanley [13]

Bundle up and diversify 💼Trade smarter this festive season and beyond with Crypto Baskets 🧺Check out the full list 👉 https://t.co/qrlEg69JFH https://t.co/OLvFkw3dcK ...