On Feb. 4, 2026, Northeast Planning Associates, Inc. disclosed a buy of VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF (NASDAQ:UITB) shares, with an estimated transaction value of $5.9 million based on quarterly average pricing. What happened According to its SEC filing dated Feb. 4, 2026, Northeast Planning Associates, Inc. increased its stake in VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF by 123,205 shares. The estimated transaction value, based on the mean unadjusted close during the fourth quarter of 2025, wa ...

Core Insights - The rise of online trading platforms has significantly empowered retail investors, allowing them access to vital financial information and trading opportunities [2][3] - Retail investors now account for approximately 25% of total equities trading volume, a notable increase from the previous decade [3] - Robinhood Markets has effectively attracted retail investors by offering commission-free trades and a leaderboard of popular securities [5] Group 1: Popular ETFs Among Retail Investors - Three low-cost ETFs are among the top 10 most-held securities by Robinhood's retail investors, surpassing well-known stocks like Alphabet and Meta Platforms [6] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust are the first and second most-held securities, both designed to track the S&P 500 index [7] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a net expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust's 0.0945%, making it a more cost-effective option for long-term investors [14][13] Group 2: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF is the 10th most-held security among retail investors, focusing on investment-grade bonds and yielding over 4% [16][18] - The ETF's popularity may be attributed to concerns over high stock valuations, as indicated by the S&P 500's Shiller Price-to-Earnings Ratio, which is at its second-highest level in 155 years [20][21] - Retail investors are increasingly turning to the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF as a safe-haven investment amid fears of a potential market correction or bear market [21]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and the iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) provide exposure to short-term, investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds, with key differences in diversification and cost [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% and assets under management (AUM) of $46.2 billion, while IGSB has an expense ratio of 0.04% and AUM of $22.5 billion [3] - The one-year return for VCSH is 1.99% compared to IGSB's 2.08%, and the dividend yield for VCSH is 4.22% versus IGSB's 4.29% [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - The maximum drawdown over five years for VCSH is -9.48%, while IGSB is slightly lower at -9.46% [4] - The growth of a $1,000 investment over five years is $963.71 for VCSH and $964.33 for IGSB, indicating similar performance [4] Portfolio Composition - IGSB holds a total of 4,435 investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds, providing substantial diversification [5] - VCSH has a smaller portfolio with 2,552 bond holdings, also focusing on investment-grade corporate bonds with a similar maturity range [6] Investment Considerations - The primary distinction between the two funds lies in diversification, with IGSB offering a broader range of bonds [8] - VCSH's larger AUM may provide greater liquidity and potentially lower fees, which could be a consideration for long-term investors [9]