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Core Insights - The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Small Cap Blend segment of the U.S. equity market, launched on June 28, 2017, with assets exceeding $589.97 million [1] Group 1: Small Cap Blend Overview - Small cap companies are defined as those with market capitalizations below $2 billion, typically presenting higher potential but also higher risk compared to larger companies [2] - Blend ETFs hold a mix of growth and value stocks, exhibiting characteristics of both types of equities [2] Group 2: Costs and Performance - GSSC has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.2%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.33% [3] - The ETF has increased by approximately 0.82% year-to-date and has risen about 9.24% over the past year, with a trading range between $55.86 and $76.22 in the last 52 weeks [6] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest allocation is to the Financials sector, comprising about 22.4% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Healthcare [4] - The top 10 holdings represent approximately 3.57% of total assets, with individual holdings like Sep 25 Cme Eminirus2k (RTYU25) accounting for about 0.55% [5] Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - GSSC aims to match the performance of the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index, with a beta of 1.05 and a standard deviation of 21.23% over the trailing three years, indicating effective diversification with around 1365 holdings [6][7] - Alternatives in the small-cap ETF space include the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR), which have significantly larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [9]

Core Viewpoint - The Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is a passively managed ETF that provides broad exposure to the Technology - Broad segment of the equity market, making it a suitable option for long-term investors due to its low costs and transparency [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Overview - XLK was launched on December 16, 1998, and is designed to match the performance of the Technology Select Sector Index [1]. - The fund is sponsored by State Street Investment Management and has over $83.43 billion in assets, making it the largest ETF in its category [3]. - The ETF includes companies from various technology-related industries, such as computers, software, telecommunications, and semiconductors [4]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expenses for XLK are 0.08%, which is considered low in the ETF space, and it has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.59% [5]. - As of August 5, 2025, XLK has gained approximately 13.14% year-to-date and 28.88% over the past year, with a trading range between $179.73 and $264.68 during the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 3: Holdings and Risk - The ETF has a 100% allocation in the Information Technology sector, with Nvidia Corp (NVDA) making up about 15.12% of total assets, followed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Apple Inc (AAPL) [6]. - The top 10 holdings account for approximately 62.78% of total assets under management [7]. - XLK has a beta of 1.23 and a standard deviation of 24.73% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [8]. Group 4: Alternatives - XLK holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong expected returns and favorable metrics [9]. - Other ETFs in the technology space include iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT), with respective assets of $22.63 billion and $97.70 billion [11].

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX ETF (FYC) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with a focus on growth stocks that have higher potential but also higher risks [1][2][3]. Fund Overview - Launched on April 19, 2011, FYC has accumulated assets exceeding $462.95 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [1]. - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.71%, which is considered high compared to other funds in the space [4]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising approximately 22.10% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Healthcare [5]. - Sezzle Inc. (SEZL) is the largest individual holding at about 2.86% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for roughly 12.34% of total assets under management [6]. Performance Metrics - FYC aims to match the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, with a year-to-date return of approximately 4.59% and a one-year return of about 16.76% as of July 25, 2025 [7]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.16 and a standard deviation of 22.36% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [8]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the same space include the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) with $11.90 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.24%, and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) with $19.60 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.07% [11]. Conclusion - FYC is a viable option for long-term investors seeking exposure to small-cap growth stocks, benefiting from low costs, transparency, and tax efficiency typical of passively managed ETFs [12].

Core Viewpoint - The iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) is a passively managed fund aimed at providing broad exposure to the Energy - Exploration segment of the equity market, appealing to both retail and institutional investors due to its low costs and transparency [1][2]. Fund Overview - Launched on May 1, 2006, IEO has accumulated over $491.71 million in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Energy - Exploration segment [3]. - The fund seeks to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, which includes companies involved in oil and gas exploration, extraction, production, refining, and supply [4]. Cost Structure - IEO has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.40%, positioning it as one of the cheaper options in the ETF space, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.56% [5]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a heavy allocation in the Energy sector, comprising approximately 99.60% of its portfolio, with Conocophillips (COP) making up about 18.61% of total assets, followed by Eog Resources Inc (EOG) and Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC) [6]. - The top 10 holdings account for about 71.77% of total assets under management [7]. Performance Metrics - As of July 24, 2025, IEO has a return of roughly 1.86% and is down about -5.05% year-to-date, with trading between $74.87 and $101.83 over the past 52 weeks [8]. - The ETF has a beta of 0.82 and a standard deviation of 28.29% for the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [8]. Alternatives - IEO has a Zacks ETF Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting it may not be the best option for investors seeking exposure to the Energy ETFs segment, with better alternatives available [9][10]. - Alternatives include the Invesco Energy Exploration & Production ETF (PXE) and the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP), with PXE having $70.24 million in assets and XOP at $1.81 billion [11].