Latin American stocks have been on a rip-roaring rally over the past 12 months—even with the steep Liberation Day drawdown tossed in the mix. The iShares Latin America 40 ETF ( ILF ) is up 64% from a year ago, outperforming both theFreelance Financial Writer | Investments | Markets | Personal Finance | RetirementI create written content used in various formats including articles, blogs, emails, and social media for financial advisors and investment firms in a cost-efficient way. My passion is putting a narr ...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FIS Bright Portfolios Focused Equity ETF (NYSE: BRIF) ("BRIF") reconvened a special meeting of shareholders earlier today (the "Special Meeting"). At the Special Meeting, the Fund's shareholders were asked to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization pursuant to which BRIF will be reorganized into FIS Trust, as approved by BRIF's Board of Trustees. The Special Meeting for BRIF was adjourned to February 19, 2026 at 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time to allow ...

Core Insights - The Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) utilizes a rules-based approach to allocate between eurozone equities and U.S. Treasury bills based on trend signals [1] Group 1: Portfolio Construction Methodology - The underlying index for PTEU is the FTSE Eurozone Index, which is a market-cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed eurozone markets, reviewed semi-annually for investability [1] - The Trendpilot overlay assesses the FTSE Eurozone Total Return Index against its 200-day simple moving average daily [1] - If the total return index exceeds the 200-day average for five consecutive days, the allocation shifts to 100% FTSE Eurozone; conversely, if it falls below for five consecutive days, the allocation changes to a 50% FTSE Eurozone and 50% 3-Month U.S. Treasury bill mix [1] - A further condition triggers a move to 100% T-bills if the 200-day average itself drops below its level from five days prior after being in a 50/50 state [1] - Allocation changes are implemented on the second business day following a signal [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of passive income, particularly through dividends and dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as effective investment strategies [1][2] Dividend Performance - Dividend-paying stocks have historically outperformed non-dividend payers, with dividend growers and initiators achieving an average annual total return of 10.24% from 1973 to 2024, compared to 4.31% for non-payers [3] - The average annual total return for dividend payers stands at 9.20%, while those with no change in dividend policy yield 6.75% [3] Dividend-Paying ETFs - The article lists 12 attractive dividend-paying ETFs, highlighting their yields and historical performance over various time frames [4][6] - For instance, the iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF (PFF) has a yield of 6.37% with a 5-year average annual return of 2.05% [4] - The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) offers a yield of 4.53% with a 5-year average annual return of 10.37% [4] Benefits of Dividends - Healthy dividend-paying stocks tend to increase their payouts over time, which helps investors keep pace with inflation [5] - Dividends provide a consistent income stream without the need to sell off portfolio assets, allowing for reinvestment opportunities [5] Investment Strategies - Investors can diversify their investments across multiple ETFs to balance yield and growth potential [8] - Specific ETFs are recommended based on sector outlooks, such as the Vanguard Energy ETF for those bullish on energy due to AI data center growth, and the Vanguard Real Estate ETF for real estate investments [8]

Vanguard is one of the top ETF providers I've long thought is the best in the business. Some of this has to do with the fact that the company is the original provider of exchange traded funds (ETFs), opening up the world of passive investing to millions of Americans. This revolutionary move has allowed investors to put capital to work in one broadly-diversified holding (with ultra-low fees), and benefit from compounding over the long-term by simply owning an index. Quick Read VOO holds over $1T in asse ...

Core Viewpoint - The tech sector is experiencing increased volatility, particularly in software stocks, and while risks of correction are present, major tech leaders are still considered long-term investments [1][2]. Group 1: Market Trends - The tech sector has faced significant fluctuations recently, with software stocks notably declining on the first trading day of the year [1]. - There is a possibility of a bear market or sharp declines, but the long-term potential of AI is highlighted as a reason to remain invested [2]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Two tech leadership ETFs are discussed as potential outperformers compared to the S&P 500, particularly if AI monetization is successful [3]. - The JPMorgan U.S. Tech Leaders ETF has seen a remarkable rise of over 77% since its inception in 2023, indicating strong performance [4]. - The ETF focuses on major players in the American tech sector and may benefit from stock-picking strategies in 2026 [5]. - The iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF targets global innovation leaders, with over 70% of its investments in U.S. companies, making it suitable for investors seeking growth beyond traditional indices [8]. Group 3: ETF Characteristics - The JPMorgan U.S. Tech Leaders ETF has a net expense ratio of 0.65%, which is considered reasonable for active management [6]. - The ETF includes exposure to smaller firms with market caps under $120 billion, such as Robinhood Markets and Snowflake, providing a balanced portfolio [7]. - The iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF has a modest expense ratio of 0.46% and maintains a balanced weighting, with no single holding exceeding 5% of the fund [9].

Core Viewpoint - Trump Media & Technology Group has launched a new series of "America-first" ETFs under the Truth Social brand, which may appeal to patriotic investors despite the competitive ETF market and higher expense ratios [1][5]. Group 1: ETF Launch and Market Reaction - Trump Media launched five America-first themed ETFs with expense ratios around 0.65%, covering sectors such as defense, innovation, brands, energy, and real estate [5]. - Initial market reaction to DJT stock was negative, but shares have since recovered [5]. Group 2: Investment Methodology and Target Market - Thematic ETFs, like those from Truth Social, often come with higher gross expense ratios and may not always align with traditional investment strategies [2]. - The new ETFs are positioned as values-based investments, targeting a market segment that prioritizes personal values over conventional financial metrics [2]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The ETF market has become increasingly crowded, with a variety of firms launching products that cater to specific investor preferences [4]. - As expense ratios continue to decline in a competitive environment, launching new ETFs may not guarantee success, especially against established providers like Vanguard [4][3].

Core Viewpoint - The Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) achieved a 35% return in 2025, significantly outperforming major Vanguard funds, indicating a potential resurgence for emerging markets [1][2]. Group 1: Performance and Assets - AVEM holds $15.1 billion in assets and has a concentrated investment in Asian technology and financial sectors, particularly with 6.35% allocated to Taiwan Semiconductor [1][2]. - The fund outperformed the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) by approximately 17 percentage points in 2025 [1][2]. Group 2: Macro Factors - A key macroeconomic factor for AVEM in 2026 is the strength of the U.S. dollar; a 9% decline in the dollar during 2025 enhanced the attractiveness of emerging market assets [4]. - Continued dollar weakness is expected to provide tailwinds for AVEM, while monitoring the Federal Reserve's rate decisions and global growth expectations is crucial [5]. Group 3: China’s Economic Influence - AVEM's performance is heavily influenced by China's economic policies, with significant investments in Chinese tech giants and banks; supportive government measures in 2025 contributed to the fund's gains [6]. - If China's support for the private sector continues or accelerates in 2026, AVEM stands to benefit, but tightening policies or geopolitical tensions could pose risks [6]. Group 4: Sector Concentration and Risks - The fund's largest holding is Taiwan Semiconductor, and its returns are significantly driven by semiconductor stocks, which performed well due to increased AI chip demand in 2025 [7]. - This concentration in semiconductors creates vulnerability; any downturn in the semiconductor cycle or supply chain disruptions could adversely affect AVEM [7].

Core Insights - The Xtrackers Russell US Multifactor ETF (DEUS) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Blend category and was launched on November 24, 2015 [1] Fund Overview - DEUS is sponsored by Deutsche Bank Ag and has accumulated assets exceeding $214.55 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The fund aims to match the performance of the Russell 1000 Comprehensive Factor Index, which is based on five factors: Quality, Value, Momentum, Low Volatility, and Size [5] Cost Structure - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.17%, making it one of the more affordable options in the market [6] - Its 12-month trailing dividend yield is reported at 1.58% [6] Holdings and Sector Exposure - Cardinal Health Inc (CAH) constitutes approximately 1.7% of total assets, followed by Amerisourcebergen Corp (ABC) and McKesson Corp (MCK) [7] - The top 10 holdings represent about 8.96% of the total assets under management [8] Performance Metrics - DEUS has experienced a gain of approximately 11.07% year-to-date and a 10.17% increase over the past year as of December 24, 2025 [9] - The ETF has traded between $48.13 and $59.15 in the past 52 weeks [9] - It has a beta of 0.93 and a standard deviation of 13.42% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10] Alternatives - Investors may consider alternatives such as iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which track the S&P 500 Index and have significantly larger asset bases of $766.01 billion and $829.11 billion respectively [11] - Both IVV and VOO have a lower expense ratio of 0.03% [11]

Core Insights - The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is popular for its substantial yield, while the Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF (KBWD) offers an even higher yield by focusing on financial sector dividend payers [1][2] - Investors should analyze KBWD's concentrated holdings and expense structure before investing [1] Group 1: Fund Characteristics - KBWD generates income through dividend distributions from its holdings, unlike JEPI, which uses options strategies [2] - The fund has a concentrated focus on financial sector equities, particularly mortgage REITs and business development companies, which presents both opportunities and risks [2][8] Group 2: Top Holdings and Performance - ARMOUR Residential REIT (ARR) declared a $0.24 monthly dividend, with a book value of $19.02 per share, reporting $194.5 million in revenue and $159.3 million in net income for Q3 2025 [3] - AGNC Investment Corp (AGNC) announced a $0.36 quarterly dividend, yielding 13.70% annually, with a $90.8 billion agency MBS portfolio and $903 million in revenue for Q3 [4] - Annaly Capital Management (NLY) paid a $0.70 per share dividend, managing a $97.8 billion portfolio and reporting $1.79 billion in revenue for Q3 [5] Group 3: Risk Factors - Mortgage REITs operate with significant leverage, making them sensitive to interest rate movements and yield curve dynamics [6] - KBWD's concentration in financial sector holdings exposes investors to interest rate sensitivity and leverage risks [8][11] Group 4: Alternative Options - The JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) offers a diversified alternative by employing a covered call strategy on Nasdaq-100 stocks, generating income through option premiums [12]