Most workplace plan sponsors still believe active management can outperform the market, according to new research by money manager BlackRock. Advisors are skeptical. In a survey of 459 plan sponsors conducted in February and March, 80% said they believe active managers can consistently beat the market. An even larger share — 86% — agreed that actively managed target date funds can help soften the impact of volatility on participants. READ MORE:Trump order opens 401(k)s to private assets: What advisors nee ...

Core Insights - Short-term bond funds have outperformed the core index, making them a favorable alternative during periods of persistent inflation, with an average return of 5.10% over the past year [1] - Over the last three years, short-term bond funds returned an annualized rate of 4.77%, compared to the Morningstar US Core Bond Index's return of 2.69% [2] Performance Comparison - The Morningstar US Core Bond Index has returned 2.54% over the last 12 months, 2.69% annually over the last three years, and has lost 0.73% annually over the last five years [2] - The selected short-term bond funds were chosen based on their performance over one-, three-, and five-year periods, all exhibiting active management [2] Active Management Importance - With the U.S. Federal Reserve's divided stance on interest rate policy, active management is crucial for bond exposure [3] - Vanguard offers two active short-term bond funds that are recommended for consideration [3] Fund Characteristics - The Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF (VSDB) is designed for fixed income investors seeking to maximize yield while remaining in investment-grade debt, mitigating interest rate risk and price volatility [4] - VSDB has a low expense ratio of 0.15%, making it competitive with passive fund peers [5] Municipal Bond Option - The Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VSDM) provides a blend of yield and credit quality for those interested in active short-term municipal bond exposure [6] - VSDM offers federal tax-free income and has an even lower expense ratio of 0.12% [7] Expertise Leverage - Both VSDB and VSDM leverage the expertise of the Vanguard Fixed Income Group, which has been managing active funds for nearly 50 years [8]

Core Viewpoint - Sprott Inc. has launched the Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL), an actively managed ETF aimed at long-term capital appreciation by investing in companies across the metals and mining industry lifecycle, including miners, recyclers, and royalty and streaming companies associated with high-demand strategic metals [1][2]. Investment Strategy - METL employs a value-oriented and contrarian investment strategy, focusing on undervalued companies with strong long-term fundamentals or growth potential that are currently out of favor with investors [2]. - The investment team combines top-down sector analysis with bottom-up stock selection, leveraging decades of collective experience in the metals and mining industry [2]. Management Team - The investment team is led by Senior Portfolio Manager & Economic Geologist Justin Tolman, along with other experienced professionals including Maria Smirnova, Shree Kargutkar, and Victor Huwang [2]. Market Positioning - Sprott's investment team conducts around 200 management meetings annually within the mining sector and performs up to 30 mining site visits to assess asset potential and identify challenges [3]. - The ETF aims to create a dynamic portfolio of essential materials miners, including those involved in copper, uranium, silver, steel, and lithium, which are critical for energy independence and national security [3]. ETF Features - METL combines the benefits of active management with the flexibility of an ETF, offering daily transparency, liquidity, and potential tax efficiency [3]. - It is part of Sprott's expanding portfolio of ETFs, which includes various other specialized funds targeting precious metals and critical materials [3][4]. Company Overview - Sprott is a global asset manager focused on precious metals and critical materials investments, with a strategy that includes Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities, and Private Strategies [6]. - The company operates offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut, and California, and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SII [6].

Investment Strategy - Index funds consistently outperform active management in the long run [1] - Index funds are a more viable option for retirement saving success [1]

ETF Market Overview - ETF net flows are over $789 billion year to date [1] - Investors are slightly buying the dip on the Triple Q's following Nvidia earnings [2] ETF Inflows - Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (VGIT) saw the top inflows this week [2] - iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), representing small caps, experienced significant inflows [2] - Investment grade corporate bond ETF (LQD) also saw substantial inflows [2] Active Management & JGRO ETF - JP Morgan suggests active management with the JGRO ETF, emphasizing bottoms-up research and individual stock valuation [3] - JGRO ETF focuses on large-cap growth, considered a suitable strategy in an environment driven by a few key stocks [3] - JGRO ETF is up double digits year to date, performing closely to the S&P 500 [4]

KATIE: WELCOME TO "BLOOMBERG ETF IQ." I'M KATIE GREIFELD. SCARLET FU IS OFF TODAY. MORE THAN $17 TRILLION ETF INDUSTRY, WE START WITH THE STOCK RALLY JUMPSTARTED BY FED CHAIR JEROME POWELL IN JACKSON HOLE.LOSING A BIT OF STEAM THIS MONDAY AS WE CLOSE OUT THE LAST WEEK OF SUMMER. MEANWHILE, RAPID GROWTH IN ACTIVE ETF'S, EVEN AS -- WE WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT WITH CAP COMING -- AND LIKE MATT CAMUSO OF BNY INVESTMENTS. WE WILL ALSO SPEAK WITH GREG KING, THE CEO OF REX FINANCIAL, ABOUT HIS NEWLY LAUNCHED ETF.ALL THA ...

Core Insights - Infrastructure Capital Advisors is a prominent provider of investment management solutions aimed at income-focused investors [1] - Jay Hatfield serves as CEO and CIO, leading the investment team and managing multiple ETFs and private accounts [1] - The company is frequently featured in major financial media outlets, enhancing its visibility and credibility in the investment community [1] Company Overview - Infrastructure Capital manages a range of investment products including the InfraCap Small Cap Income ETF, InfraCap Equity Income Fund ETF, InfraCap MLP ETF, Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, and InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF [1] - The firm publishes a monthly market and economic report, quarterly commentaries, and various research materials to support investors [1] - Infrastructure Capital also engages in educational initiatives through monthly webinars and participation in industry conferences [1]

Core Insights - ClearBridge is a leading global asset manager focused on active management [1] - The investment approach is guided by research-based stock selection, reflecting high-conviction ideas from portfolio managers [1] - The company frequently shares insights with investors through various channels including investment commentaries, white papers, blog posts, videos, and podcasts [1]

ClearBridge is a leading global asset manager committed to active management. Research-based stock selection guides our investment approach, with our strategies reflecting the highest-conviction ideas of our portfolio managers. We convey these ideas to investors on a frequent basis through investment commentaries and thought leadership and look forward to sharing the latest insights from our white papers, blog posts as well as videos and podcasts. ...

Core Insights - ClearBridge is a leading global asset manager focused on active management [1] - The investment approach is guided by research-based stock selection, reflecting high-conviction ideas from portfolio managers [1] - The company frequently shares insights with investors through various channels including investment commentaries, white papers, blog posts, videos, and podcasts [1]