Thinkstock Quick Read Point72 and Tudor Investment increased SPY positions to 5.89% and 4.19% of portfolios respectively. QQQ gained 21.67% year-to-date with over 50% allocation to technology and 53% in top 10 holdings. Ray Dalio raised his IVV stake by 4.83% to over 1M shares representing 10.62% of his portfolio. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Hedge funds continued to make buy a ...

iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) differ most on assets under management (AUM), liquidity, and their focus on silver versus gold mining companies.Both iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP +2.95%) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX +1.77%) offer exposure to precious metals miners, but their approaches and portfolios set them apart. SLVP is a narrower, silver-centric exchange-traded fund (ETF), while GDX provides broader access to global go ...

Key Takeaways NRF estimates 158.9 million shoppers took part in Super Saturday, setting a new record.Late-season shopping strength may support ETFs tied to retail, e-commerce and consumer staples stocks. RTH and EBIZ stand to benefit from resilient mega-cap retailers and sustained holiday demand. With the final shopping weekend before Christmas now behind us, a record 158.9 million consumers are expected to have shopped on "Super Saturday" — the final Saturday before Christmas, (both in-store and online) ac ...

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2025) - Corton Capital Inc. ("Corton") today announces cash distributions for the Class ETF Units of the Corton Enhanced Income Fund for the month of December. The cash distributions will be paid on or about January 8, 2026 to unitholders of record on December 31, 2025.Details regarding the per unit cash distribution amount are as follows: Corton ETF TSX Ticker Cash Distribution Corton Enhanced Income Fund RAAA $0.06 per unit For further information, includi ...

Core Insights - Many individuals enter retirement with optimism but later find their income insufficient to cover expenses, largely due to overreliance on Social Security [1] - The average monthly Social Security benefit is slightly over $2,000, and there are concerns about potential future benefit cuts, highlighting the need for a backup income plan [2] Investment Opportunities - **Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD)**: This ETF provides access to S&P 500 companies that offer generous dividends with low volatility, making it suitable for retirees seeking steady income [4][5] - **iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF)**: PFF holds a diversified portfolio of U.S. preferred shares, offering higher yields than typical dividend ETFs while distributing dividends monthly, though it is heavily weighted in the financial sector [6][7] - **JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI)**: JEPI invests in large U.S. businesses and utilizes covered calls to generate income, providing a moderate-risk option for retirees focused on predictable income rather than high growth [8][9]

Core Insights - The Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) is a $6.5 billion fund that invests in companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations, and support of U.S. defense, homeland security, and aerospace operations [1] Group 1: Fund Overview - PPA focuses exclusively on U.S. equity ETFs, specifically targeting the aerospace and defense sectors [1] - The fund's size is significant at $6.5 billion, indicating a robust investment interest in the defense and aerospace industries [1] Group 2: Analytical Background - The article mentions the analytical expertise of The Sunday Investor, who has developed a proprietary ETF Rankings system that evaluates nearly 1,000 ETFs based on various factors [1] - The ranking system includes metrics such as costs, liquidity, risk, size, value, dividends, growth, quality, momentum, and sentiment, culminating in a composite score from 1-10 [1]

Core Insights - Model portfolios utilizing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are increasingly favored in the financial advisory sector, with a significant portion of assets allocated to these models [2][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - An estimated $36 trillion is allocated to model portfolios across financial intermediary channels, with 65% ($23 trillion) managed in-house by firms creating their own models [2]. - The trend towards model portfolios is expected to continue due to their cost-effectiveness, diversification, and ease of rebalancing, making them suitable for various life stages [2][3]. Group 2: Benefits for Financial Advisors - Model portfolios help financial advisors maintain consistency in investment strategies, reducing the temptation to time the market or pursue short-term trends [3]. - The ability to scale portfolio management processes is a key advantage for advisory firms, allowing them to leverage practice-level resources effectively [4]. Group 3: Outsourcing and Asset Management - For advisory firms that prefer not to manage their own models, outsourcing options are expanding, including broker-dealers, asset managers, and third-party strategists [5]. - Among the 35% of model portfolio assets that are outsourced, there is a mix of purely outsourced assets and those modified by advisors or clients [5]. Group 4: ETF Advantages - ETFs are appealing due to their low costs, comparable to the cheapest mutual funds, and their tax efficiency, which is a significant benefit for end users [6]. - While liquidity is often highlighted as a benefit of ETFs, it is less critical in model portfolios designed for long-term, buy-and-hold strategies [6].

Core Insights - The U.S. federal government shutdown can lead to furloughs, operational delays, and regulatory slowdowns, indirectly affecting ETFs despite continued trading on major exchanges [1] Group 1: Economic Impact - Duration of the shutdown is critical; longer shutdowns increase the potential for real economic impacts such as delayed contracts and budget disruptions [2] - Delays in macroeconomic data releases can increase market volatility and reduce visibility for fund managers and investors [2] Group 2: Sector-Specific Risks - Certain sectors, including travel, government contracting, and regulatory-heavy industries, are more vulnerable to the effects of a government shutdown [2][4] - ETFs related to these sectors may experience heightened risks due to their exposure to government operations and contracts [4] Group 3: Fund Operational Risks - Most ETFs will continue to operate normally, but new launches or complex fund structures may face delays due to staffing impacts at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [3] - Delayed SEC approvals for new ETF launches or structural changes can hinder market innovation and responsiveness [4]

Core Insights - The First Trust Water ETF (FIW) has faced challenges since the last review on November 5, 2024, primarily due to high valuation, lower growth prospects, and disappointing earnings momentum [1] Group 1: Performance and Valuation - FIW has struggled in performance since the previous analysis, indicating potential concerns for investors [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The Sunday Investor has completed educational requirements for the Chartered Investment Manager designation and is on track to become a licensed options and derivatives trading advisor, focusing on U.S. Equity ETFs [1]

Group 1 - The SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (NYSEARCA: KCE) aims to track the S&P Capital Markets Select Industry Index and was launched in November 2005 with an expense ratio of 0.35% and net assets of $590 million [1] - Blue Chip Portfolios is an investment publication company that provides insights on single stocks, ETFs, and CEFs, and publishes the Blue Chip Portfolio's Newsletter on Beehiiv [1]