Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) is a passively managed ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the Small Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $1.50 billion, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in this category [1]. Group 1: Investment Potential - Small cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations below $2 billion, present significant investment potential but also come with higher risks [2]. - Value stocks typically exhibit lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, along with lower sales and earnings growth rates. Historically, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in long-term performance, although growth stocks may excel in strong bull markets [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.1%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.65% [4]. - VIOV aims to match the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, having gained approximately 2.1% year-to-date and about 8.32% over the past year, with a trading range between $71.94 and $101.69 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest allocation is to the Financials sector, comprising about 22.3% of the portfolio, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Industrials [5]. - Borgwarner Inc (BWA) represents about 1.28% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 6.26% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - VIOV has a beta of 1.02 and a standard deviation of 21.68% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium-risk investment with effective diversification across 463 holdings [8]. - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Value segment, with alternatives like the iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) also available [9][10]. Group 5: Market Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable vehicles for long-term investment strategies [11].

Core Viewpoint - Three stocks are highlighted with a buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider, all carrying a Zacks Rank 1 and showing significant increases in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [1][2][3]. Group 1: O-I Glass, Inc. (OI) - O-I Glass, Inc. has a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing by 8.8% over the last 60 days [1]. - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 7.94, which is lower than the industry average of 9.80 [1]. - O-I Glass possesses a Value Score of A, indicating strong value characteristics [1]. Group 2: Maximus, Inc. (MMS) - Maximus, Inc. has a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing by 15.8% over the last 60 days [2]. - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 10.56, compared to the industry average of 13.90 [2]. - Maximus also possesses a Value Score of A, reflecting its strong value characteristics [2]. Group 3: Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) - Allegiant Travel Company has a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing by 8% over the last 60 days [3]. - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 13.12, which is lower than the industry average of 14.60 [3]. - Allegiant Travel possesses a Value Score of A, indicating strong value characteristics [3].

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) provides broader market coverage, while the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) focuses on value stocks with higher income potential [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - SCHB has an expense ratio of 0.03% and assets under management (AUM) of $38.0 billion, while VTV has a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.04% and AUM of $215.5 billion [3][10] - The one-year return for SCHB is 11.9%, compared to VTV's 10.2%, and SCHB has a dividend yield of 1.1% versus VTV's 2.0% [3][4] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over the past five years, SCHB experienced a maximum drawdown of 25.36%, while VTV's maximum drawdown was 17.04% [5] - An investment of $1,000 in SCHB would have grown to $1,779, while the same investment in VTV would have grown to $1,646 over five years [5] Holdings & Sector Exposure - VTV holds approximately 315 stocks, with significant allocations in financial services (25%), healthcare (15%), and industrials (13%), featuring top positions like JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway [6] - SCHB, on the other hand, leans heavily into technology (34%), financial services (14%), and consumer cyclicals (11%), with major holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft [7] Investment Strategy Implications - SCHB offers a comprehensive approach to market exposure, capturing around 2,400 companies across various market caps, making it suitable for investors seeking broad market representation [8][9] - VTV's strategy is more selective, focusing on large-cap value stocks, which may appeal to income-focused investors looking for higher dividends [11]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) focuses on large-cap value stocks, while the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) aims to provide diversified access to the entire U.S. stock market, including both growth and value stocks [2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - VTV has an expense ratio of 0.04% and assets under management (AUM) of $215.5 billion, while ITOT has a slightly lower expense ratio of 0.03% and an AUM of $80.39 billion [3] - The 1-year return for VTV is 12.66%, compared to ITOT's 11.67%, and VTV offers a higher dividend yield of 2% versus ITOT's 1.09% [3] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over a 5-year period, VTV experienced a maximum drawdown of 53.7%, while ITOT had a lower maximum drawdown of 27.57% [4] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $1,606 in VTV and $1,707 in ITOT over the same 5-year period [4] Portfolio Composition - ITOT holds 2,498 stocks, with technology companies making up 34% of its assets, followed by financial services and consumer cyclicals [5] - VTV is concentrated in established value stocks, with significant weightings in financial services (22%), industrials (16%), and healthcare (15%) [7] Investment Implications - ITOT's broader exposure provides instant portfolio diversification and increased concentration in the technology sector, appealing to investors looking for long-term growth [9] - VTV's focus on established value stocks may offer a stronger hedge against market volatility and a higher dividend yield, attracting income-focused investors [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco QQQ Trust, despite being one of the best-performing ETFs since its inception, is viewed critically by some investors who prefer quantitative analysis and value stocks with growth potential [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The focus has shifted from individual stocks to ETF strategies that may outperform the market or provide better risk protection [1]. - The analyst emphasizes the importance of quantitative analysis and believes that mathematical insights drive investment success [1]. Group 2: Investment Preferences - The investment approach includes a diverse range of assets such as large caps, midcaps, small caps, international stocks, gold miners, and REITs [1]. - There is a notable skepticism towards sell-side analysis, which is often considered inadequate [1].

Core Viewpoint - The market has been heavily influenced by tech and growth stocks, particularly the "Magnificent Seven," but a potential rotation towards value stocks is becoming more likely as economic conditions evolve [1][2][8]. Economic Conditions - The U.S. economy experienced a 4.3% annualized growth rate in Q3 2025, with unemployment rates between 4% and 5% and inflation around 3%, indicating a healthy economic environment [4]. - However, the year-over-year earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 in Q4 2025 is estimated at 8.3%, which is below the five-year average of 14.9% and the ten-year average of 9.5%, suggesting a potential slowdown in growth [5]. - The unemployment rate has increased from 4% at the start of the year to 4.6% in November 2025, and inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, indicating challenges for growth stocks [6]. Value Stocks Outlook - Value stocks have struggled to maintain outperformance since 2022, but as the economic landscape shifts and the AI trade loses momentum, there is potential for a resurgence in value stocks [2]. - The Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF (MGV) is highlighted as an attractive investment opportunity, focusing on sectors such as financials, healthcare, and industrials, which differ significantly from the tech-heavy allocations of growth stocks [7][9].

Group 1 - Boeing led the industrial sector with a gain of approximately 0.6% following a significant U.S. Air Force contract worth about $8.5 billion for fighter jets [2][4] - Molina Healthcare saw a notable increase of around 2.5% after positive investor commentary from Michael Burry, a well-known investor [2][4] - AXT, a semiconductor company, experienced a substantial rise of 8.29%, indicating strong performance in the semiconductor sector [2] Group 2 - OceanFirst Financial's stock dropped by 6.7% after announcing a merger agreement and a new strategic investment partner, highlighting volatility in the banking sector [5] - The overall market showed mixed breadth, with some sectors outperforming while others faced declines, reflecting a shift in investor sentiment towards economically sensitive areas [3][5] - The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average all experienced slight declines, indicating a quiet trading day as the year-end approached [1][3]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating the attractiveness of ScanSource (SCSC) and Symbotic Inc. (SYM) for value investment opportunities, with SCSC currently appearing more favorable based on various financial metrics [1][3]. Valuation Metrics - SCSC has a forward P/E ratio of 9.66, significantly lower than SYM's forward P/E of 148.62, indicating that SCSC may be undervalued compared to SYM [5]. - The PEG ratio for SCSC is 0.64, while SYM's PEG ratio is 4.95, suggesting that SCSC has a better balance between its price and expected earnings growth [5]. - SCSC's P/B ratio stands at 0.96, contrasting sharply with SYM's P/B ratio of 73.15, further indicating SCSC's relative undervaluation [6]. Value Grades - SCSC has received a Value grade of A, reflecting its strong valuation metrics, while SYM has been assigned a Value grade of F, highlighting its poor valuation performance [6]. - The stronger estimate revision activity for SCSC compared to SYM suggests a more favorable earnings outlook for SCSC, making it a more attractive option for value investors [7].

Group 1: Macy's - Macy's operates as an omnichannel retail organization with stores, websites, and mobile applications [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a 9.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Macy's has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 10.39, significantly lower than the industry average of 22.30, and possesses a Value Score of A [2] Group 2: Science Applications International (SAIC) - SAIC is a leading information technology and professional services provider primarily serving the U.S. government [1] - The company also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a 2.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - SAIC has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 10.50, compared to the industry average of 15.30, and holds a Value Score of A [3]

Core Viewpoint - The State Street SPDR Russell 1000 Yield Focus ETF (ONEY) is a passively managed ETF aimed at providing broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $841.87 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in this category [1]. Group 1: Large Cap Value Characteristics - Large cap companies generally have a market capitalization above $10 billion, characterized by stability and predictable cash flows, making them less volatile compared to mid and small cap companies [2]. - Value stocks, while having lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, have historically outperformed growth stocks in most markets, although they may underperform during strong bull markets [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.2%, categorizing it as one of the cheaper options in the market, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.12% [4]. - As of December 29, 2025, the ETF has gained approximately 8.66% year-to-date and 7.51% over the past year, with a trading range between $95.52 and $116.46 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest allocation is to the Industrials sector, comprising about 13.7% of the portfolio, followed by Consumer Staples and Financials [5]. - United Parcel Service Cl B (UPS) represents about 2.23% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 13.67% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Investment Strategy and Alternatives - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Russell 1000 Yield Focused Factor Index, which includes large-cap U.S. equity securities with high value, high quality, and low size characteristics, focusing on high yield [7]. - Alternatives to this ETF include the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), which track similar indices but have significantly larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [11]. Group 5: Overall Market Position - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a reasonable option for investors seeking exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the market [10]. - Passively managed ETFs like ONEY are increasingly popular due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investors [12].