The Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund ETF ( VCR ) has little going for it right now from a fundamentals perspective. That's not to say large gains can't happen, but if you're like me and view investing asThe Sunday Investor is focused exclusively on U.S. Equity ETFs. He has a strong analytical background, has received a Certificate of Advanced Investment Advice from the Canadian Securities Institute, and has completed all the educational requirements for the Chartered Investment Manager designation ...

Core Insights - The article highlights Alan Brochstein's extensive experience in the investment industry, particularly his focus on the cannabis sector since 2014 [1] - Brochstein has contributed to the understanding of ETFs, emphasizing their role in diversified investment portfolios and risk awareness [1] Group 1: Professional Background - Alan Brochstein has been active in the financial sector since 1986, with a background in Economics and Mathematical Methods from Northwestern University [1] - He founded AB Analytical Services in 2007 to provide independent consulting to registered investment advisors [1] - Brochstein has been involved in both sell-side and buy-side roles in fixed-income and equities [1] Group 2: Cannabis Industry Focus - Brochstein was one of the first investment professionals to concentrate on the cannabis industry, starting in 2014 [1] - He launched 420 Investor in 2013, a subscription service focused on cannabis stocks, which is now part of the Seeking Alpha platform [1] - He is also the managing partner of New Cannabis Ventures, providing financial information in the cannabis industry since 2015 [1] Group 3: ETF Expertise - Brochstein has been writing about ETFs since 2025, aiming to help investors understand the ETF landscape [1] - He maintains a 79-ETF Focus List that includes both popular and lesser-known ETFs that stand out [1] - A model portfolio was created by Brochstein as of year-end 2025 to assist investors in managing their ETF investments [1]

Core Insights - The article compares two popular U.S. equity ETFs: the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI), highlighting their differences in cost, diversification, and holdings [1][2] Cost and Size Comparison - SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while VTI is more affordable at 0.03%, making it appealing for cost-conscious investors [3] - As of February 5, 2026, SPY's one-year return is 13.13% compared to VTI's 12.43%, and SPY has an AUM of $709 billion versus VTI's $571 billion [3] Performance and Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, SPY has a maximum drawdown of -24.50%, while VTI's is -25.36%, indicating slightly better risk management for SPY [4] - A $1,000 investment in SPY would have grown to $1,764 over five years, compared to $1,656 for VTI, suggesting stronger cumulative growth for SPY [4] Holdings and Diversification - VTI holds approximately 3,600 stocks across all market capitalizations, with significant allocations in technology (33%), financial services (13%), and consumer cyclical (10%) [5] - SPY focuses on the S&P 500, with a heavier weighting in technology (34%), financial services (13%), and communication services (11%) [6] Implications for Investors - SPY's focus on large-cap stocks may reduce volatility, as larger companies tend to be more stable during economic downturns [8] - VTI's broad diversification across the entire stock market can help manage volatility, providing a buffer against poor performance in specific sectors [9] - Both ETFs have shown similar total returns over one and five years, with SPY slightly outperforming VTI in both periods [10]

Bloomberg Intelligence Senior ETF Analyst, Eric Balchunas joins CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie to discuss why ETF investors are staying remarkable steady while the rest of the market panics. He breaks down the "irony" of ETF boomers showing stronger diamond hands than crypto natives by treating bitcoin as a "hot sauce" allocation within diversified portfolios. Watch to learn how bitcoin’s volatility compares to the 22-year history of gold ETFs and why this drawdown might just be another cycle for the asset cl ...

Core Insights - The surge in gold prices is significant, but the next major buying trend may shift towards ETFs rather than physical gold [1][2] Group 1: Market Trends - SPDR Gold Shares stock is showing an upward trend, with Goldman Sachs predicting increased gold ETF purchases by private investors, which could drive gold prices higher [2][7] - Gold has experienced its largest monthly gain since the 1980s, nearing a record high of $5,600 per ounce before a slight retreat [2][8] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Analysis of Google Trends indicates that Americans are actively searching for ways to invest in gold, challenging traditional views on buying patterns [3][4] - The term "buy gold" is more frequently searched than terms related to learning about gold, indicating immediate purchasing intent rather than casual interest [5][6] Group 3: ETF Demand - The search data suggests a natural demand for gold ETFs, especially as investors look to capitalize on price dips [6] - Major banks, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, are positioning ETFs as crucial for the next phase of gold demand, with Goldman forecasting gold prices to reach $5,400 per ounce by the end of 2026 [7][8]

Core Insights - The ProShares UltraPro QQQ ETF (TQQQ) has been observed for nearly a year, showing significant performance compared to its reference ETF [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The company has demonstrated a keen interest in understanding market dynamics and how companies grow over time [1] - There is a focus on delivering value to stakeholders and projecting long-term investment opportunities [1] Group 2: Market Perspective - The article reflects a passion for capital markets, indicating a broader interest in investment trends and strategies [1]

Core Insights - Vawter Financial, Ltd. disclosed an increase in its position in JPMorgan Active Bond ETF by 190,959 shares, with an estimated transaction value of $10.36 million based on quarterly average pricing [1][2] Investment Activity - The increase in position reflects a total value increase of $10.31 million at quarter-end, attributed to both new purchases and price changes in the underlying ETF [2] - Vawter Financial's stake in JBND now represents 7.4% of its reportable AUM, with JBND valued at $17.6 million [7] ETF Overview - The JPMorgan Active Bond ETF (JBND) is an actively managed fixed-income fund aiming for consistent, risk-adjusted returns above its benchmark [6] - As of February 1, 2026, JBND's price was $53.93, with a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 4.41% and a one-year total return of 6.96% [4][7] Performance Metrics - JBND shares were priced at $54.12 as of January 30, 2026, reflecting a 2.94% decline from the 52-week high [7] - Over the past year, JBND underperformed the S&P 500 by 8.5 percentage points [7] Investment Strategy - The investment strategy of JBND seeks to outperform the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index over a three- to five-year cycle through active management of a diversified bond portfolio [8] - The fund allocates at least 80% of its assets to bonds under normal circumstances [8] Broader Market Context - Vawter Financial's addition to its top holdings indicates a broad appetite for near-term income stability, alongside potential upside from small-cap stocks [9][10] - The trend of decreasing interest rates over the past year has prompted increased investments in bond funds to lock in higher yields [10]

The GraniteShares 2x Long PLTR Daily ETF ( NASDAQ:PTIR ) delivered a 179% return over the past year by design. ...

Core Insights - The article compares two leading U.S. bond market ETFs: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG), both of which provide broad, investment-grade exposure to taxable U.S. bonds [1] Cost & Size - Both BND and AGG have an expense ratio of 0.03% [2] - As of January 24, 2026, BND has a one-year return of 3.11% and AGG has a one-year return of 3.2% [2] - The dividend yield for BND is 3.85% while AGG's is slightly higher at 3.88% [2] - BND has assets under management (AUM) of $384.63 billion, significantly larger than AGG's AUM of $136.5 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - The maximum drawdown over five years for BND is -17.93%, while AGG's is slightly lower at -17.83% [4] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $852 with BND and $857 with AGG over five years [4] Holdings Composition - AGG has a track record of 22 years and tracks the total U.S. investment-grade bond market with 13,067 holdings, 74% of which are AA-rated bonds [5] - BND is similar to AGG, with around 50% of its holdings in U.S. government bonds, but 72% of BND's bonds are AAA-rated [5] Investment Implications - BND's higher concentration of AAA-rated bonds indicates a lower risk investment compared to AGG, which has more lower-rated bonds that may offer higher yields [6] - The choice between BND and AGG depends on investor preference for risk and reward, with both ETFs providing monthly dividends [7]

Core Viewpoint - SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) provides diversified, equal-weighted exposure to U.S. banking businesses, aiming to minimize single-issuer dominance and better represent the industry's breadth [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The strategy focuses on core banking economics, including net interest income, fee franchises, cost discipline, and credit underwriting, leading to a tilt towards financial cyclicality and profitability metrics [1] - The fund's performance is influenced by factors such as interest-rate curves, loan growth, funding mix, credit quality, and regulatory capital frameworks [1] Group 2: Market Conditions - The fund may benefit from early-cycle reacceleration, steepening yield curves, and favorable credit conditions, while facing challenges during periods of tightening liquidity, credit stress, or regulatory changes affecting capital returns [1] Group 3: Portfolio Role - KBE serves as a sector satellite within U.S. equities, offers a cyclical tilt for macro-tactical views on the rate and credit cycle, and complements broader financials exposure for factor completion [1] Group 4: Target Investors - Suitable investors include sector allocators and value-oriented managers looking for targeted financials exposure [1] Group 5: Risks - A key risk to monitor is industry concentration, where correlated shocks to funding or credit can lead to significant drawdowns despite issuer diversification [1]