Looking for broad exposure to the Consumer Discretionary - Broad segment of the equity market? You should consider the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) , a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on December 16, 1998.Passively managed ETFs are becoming increasingly popular with institutional as well as retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility and tax efficiency. They are excellent vehicles for long term investors.Sector ETFs also provide investors access t ...

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Technology - Software segment of the equity market, the SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) is a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on September 28, 2011.Retail and institutional investors increasingly turn to passively managed ETFs because they offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; these kind of funds are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.Additionally, sector ETFs offer convenient ways to gain low risk and div ...

Core Insights - The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) is a passively managed ETF launched on September 22, 2010, with over $12.82 billion in assets, making it one of the largest in the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market [1] Group 1: Small Cap Blend Overview - Small cap companies have market capitalizations below $2 billion and typically present higher potential and risk compared to large and mid-cap companies [2] - Blend ETFs combine both growth and value stocks, showcasing characteristics of both investment styles [2] Group 2: Cost Structure - VTWO has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.07%, positioning it as one of the least expensive ETFs in its category [3] - The ETF offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.24% [3] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising approximately 18.7% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Healthcare [4] - Individual holdings include Slbbh1142 at 1.78% of total assets, with Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (CRDO) and Fabrinet (FN) also notable [5] Group 4: Performance Metrics - VTWO aims to match the performance of the Russell 2000 Index, with a year-to-date return of approximately 0.52% and a one-year return of about 10.63% as of August 6, 2025 [6] - The ETF has traded between $70.56 and $98.06 over the past 52 weeks [6] Group 5: Risk Assessment - VTWO has a beta of 1.11 and a standard deviation of 22.18% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium-risk investment [7] - The ETF holds around 2004 assets, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [7] Group 6: Alternatives - VTWO holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating favorable expected returns, low expense ratios, and positive momentum [8] - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) with $64.50 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.05%, and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with $80.56 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.06% [9][10] Group 7: Market Trends - There is a growing trend among retail and institutional investors towards passively managed ETFs due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [11]

Core Insights - The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) provides broad exposure to the Financials - Regional Banks segment and is passively managed, appealing to both retail and institutional investors [1][2] - The ETF has over $600.95 million in assets and aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Regional Banks Index [3][4] Fund Details - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.4% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3% [5] - It offers 100% exposure to the Financials sector, with PNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC) being the largest holding at approximately 13.99% of total assets [6][7] Performance Metrics - As of August 6, 2025, the ETF has experienced a year-to-date loss of about 0.03% but is up approximately 16.98% over the past year [8] - The ETF has a beta of 0.94 and a standard deviation of 30.55% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [8] Alternatives - The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Financials ETFs [9] - Other alternatives include the Invesco KBW Regional Banking ETF (KBWR) and the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE), with respective assets of $49.57 million and $3.25 billion [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ) is a passively managed fund designed to provide exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $645.26 million [1]. Group 1: Fund Overview - QQQJ was launched on October 13, 2020, and is sponsored by Invesco [1]. - The fund targets large cap companies, which typically have market capitalizations above $10 billion, known for their stability and predictable cash flows [2]. Group 2: Growth Stocks Characteristics - Growth stocks generally exhibit higher sales and earnings growth rates, expected to outperform the broader market, but they come with higher valuations and volatility [3]. Group 3: Cost Structure - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.15%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.64% [4]. Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 34.7% of the portfolio, followed by Healthcare and Consumer Discretionary [5]. - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc (ALNY) represents approximately 2.58% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 18.37% of total assets under management [6]. Group 5: Performance Metrics - QQQJ aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ NEXT GENERATION 100 INDEX, which includes the largest 100 Nasdaq-listed non-financial companies outside of the NASDAQ-100 Index [7]. - The ETF has increased by about 9.6% year-to-date and approximately 23.95% over the past year, with a trading range between $25.48 and $33.71 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 6: Alternatives and Comparisons - The ETF carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Large Cap Growth area [10]. - Alternatives include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $181.18 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.04%, while QQQ has $359.78 billion and charges 0.2% [11]. Group 7: Market Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [12].

The First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX ETF (FXH) was launched on May 8, 2007, and is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to offer broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market.Passively managed ETFs are becoming increasingly popular with institutional as well as retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility and tax efficiency. They are excellent vehicles for long term investors.Sector ETFs also provide investors access to a broad group of companies in ...

Core Insights - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Consumer Staples - Broad segment of the equity market and was launched on January 26, 2004 [1] - VDC is a passively managed ETF favored by both institutional and retail investors due to its low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency [1] Fund Overview - The fund is sponsored by Vanguard and has over $7.57 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Consumer Staples - Broad segment [3] - VDC aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index [3] Cost Structure - The annual operating expenses for VDC are 0.09%, positioning it as one of the cheaper options in the ETF space [4] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.26% [4] Sector Exposure and Holdings - VDC has a heavy allocation in the Consumer Staples sector, with approximately 99.9% of its portfolio dedicated to this sector [5] - Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) constitutes about 13.04% of total assets, with Walmart Inc (WMT) and Procter & Gamble Co (PG) also among the top holdings [6] - The top 10 holdings represent about 44.87% of total assets under management [6] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, VDC has gained approximately 4.27%, and it is up about 6.09% over the last 12 months as of August 5, 2025 [7] - The ETF has traded between $204.89 and $226.16 in the past 52 weeks [7] - VDC has a beta of 0.57 and a standard deviation of 12.41% for the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [7] Alternatives - VDC carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a sufficient option for investors seeking exposure to the Consumer Staples sector [8] - Other ETF options include iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) and Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP), with respective assets of $1.38 billion and $16.01 billion [9] - IYK has an expense ratio of 0.4%, while XLP charges 0.08% [9]

Core Insights - The iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Consumer Discretionary - Broad segment of the equity market and is passively managed, making it a popular choice among investors due to its low costs and transparency [1][3] Fund Overview - ITB has amassed assets over $2.74 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Consumer Discretionary - Broad segment [3] - The ETF seeks to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index, which includes U.S. equities in the home construction sector [3] Cost Structure - The annual operating expenses for ITB are 0.39%, which is considered low compared to other funds in the space [4] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.56% [4] Sector Exposure and Holdings - Approximately 78.3% of ITB's portfolio is allocated to the Consumer Discretionary sector, with Industrials and Materials following [5] - D R Horton Inc (DHI) constitutes about 14.3% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 66.55% of total assets under management [6] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, ITB has lost about 2% and is down approximately 13.91% over the last 12 months as of August 4, 2025 [7] - The ETF has traded between $85.52 and $129.34 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.26 and a standard deviation of 28.32% for the trailing three-year period, indicating high risk [7] Alternatives - ITB has a Zacks ETF Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting it may not be the best choice for investors seeking exposure to the Consumer Discretionary ETFs segment [8] - Alternatives include the Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY), which have larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [10]

Core Viewpoint - The FlexShares US Quality Large Cap ETF (QLC) is a passively managed fund aimed at providing broad exposure to the Large Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $547.58 million [1] Group 1: Fund Overview - Launched on September 23, 2015, QLC is designed to match the performance of the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index [1][6] - The fund is sponsored by Flexshares and is considered an average-sized ETF in its category [1] Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Large cap companies, typically with market capitalizations above $10 billion, are viewed as more stable investments due to predictable cash flows and lower volatility compared to mid and small cap stocks [2] - QLC holds a mix of growth and value stocks, providing characteristics of both investment styles [2] Group 3: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expenses for QLC are 0.25%, which is competitive within its peer group, and it has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.93% [3] - As of July 31, 2025, QLC has increased by approximately 10.11% year-to-date and 18.84% over the past year, with a trading range between $56.84 and $73.22 in the last 52 weeks [7] Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 34% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Telecom [4] - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) is the largest holding at approximately 7.02% of total assets, with Apple Inc (AAPL) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT) also among the top three holdings [5] Group 5: Risk Profile - QLC has a beta of 0.99 and a standard deviation of 16.71% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [7] - The ETF effectively diversifies company-specific risk with around 167 holdings [7] Group 6: Alternatives and Market Position - QLC holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential based on expected returns, expense ratio, and momentum [9] - Other ETFs in the same space include the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which have significantly larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [10]

If you're interested in broad exposure to the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, look no further than the iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) , a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on September 7, 2016.The fund is sponsored by Blackrock. It has amassed assets over $326.28 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs attempting to match the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market.Why Small Cap BlendThere's a lot of potential to investing in small cap co ...