Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is a passively managed fund launched on November 3, 2009, with over $17.74 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Small Cap Blend segment of the U.S. equity market [1] Costs - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.04%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.53% [3] Sector Exposure and Top Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Industrials sector at approximately 19.6%, followed by Financials and Information Technology [4] - Affirm Holdings Inc Class A (AFRM) constitutes about 0.47% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for around 3.73% of total assets under management [5] Performance and Risk - SCHA aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, having increased by about 0.19% year-to-date and 8.93% over the past year as of August 11, 2025 [6] - The ETF has a beta of 1.11 and a standard deviation of 21.62% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile with 1714 holdings for diversification [7] Alternatives - SCHA holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential based on expected returns, expense ratio, and momentum, making it a favorable choice for investors in the Small Cap Blend segment [8] - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) with $63.12 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.05%, and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with $80.47 billion in assets and a 0.06% expense ratio [9] Bottom-Line - Passively managed ETFs like SCHA are favored by both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a leading investment option for exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the U.S. equity market, with significant assets and low expense ratios, making it attractive for long-term investors [1][4][10]. Group 1: ETF Overview - SCHD is a passively managed ETF launched on October 20, 2011, and is sponsored by Charles Schwab, with assets exceeding $69.99 billion [1]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which focuses on high dividend yielding stocks with a strong record of dividend payments [7]. Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Large cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations above $10 billion, are generally more stable and exhibit predictable cash flows compared to mid and small cap companies [2]. - Value stocks, which typically have lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, have historically outperformed growth stocks in long-term performance, although growth stocks may excel in strong bull markets [3]. Group 3: Costs and Performance - SCHD has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.06%, positioning it among the least expensive ETFs in its category, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.81% [4]. - As of August 11, 2025, SCHD has gained approximately 0.25% year-to-date and 4.36% over the past year, with a trading range between $24.32 and $29.53 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Consumer Staples sector, comprising about 19.8% of the portfolio, followed by Energy and Healthcare [5]. - Texas Instruments Inc (TXN) is the largest holding at approximately 4.33% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 40.3% of total assets under management [6]. Group 5: Alternatives and Market Position - SCHD holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong expected returns based on various factors, making it a compelling choice for investors interested in the Large Cap Value segment [10]. - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), with VYM having $62.20 billion in assets and VTV at $139.70 billion, both with competitive expense ratios [11].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is a passively managed fund launched on January 26, 2004, with assets exceeding $85.49 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Mid Cap Blend segment of the US equity market [1] Group 1: Mid Cap Blend Characteristics - Mid cap companies have market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, offering a balance of stability and growth potential compared to large and small cap companies [2] - Blend ETFs typically hold a mix of growth and value stocks, as well as stocks exhibiting both characteristics [2] Group 2: Cost Structure - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.04%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the market [3] - It offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.51% [3] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest allocation is to the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 17.7% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Information Technology [4] - Constellation Energy Corp (CEG) represents about 1.16% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for roughly 5.78% of total assets under management [5] Group 4: Performance Metrics - The ETF aims to match the performance of the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, which includes U.S. companies in the top 70%-85% of investable market capitalization [6] - Year-to-date, the ETF has increased by about 8.2% and has risen approximately 17.93% over the past year as of August 11, 2025 [6] - The ETF has traded between $228.54 and $289.77 in the past 52 weeks [6] Group 5: Risk Assessment - The ETF has a beta of 1.02 and a standard deviation of 17.15% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium risk investment [7] - With around 304 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk [7] Group 6: Alternatives - The Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong expected returns and favorable metrics [8] - Other alternatives include the iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) with $42.76 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.19%, and the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) with $95.63 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.05% [9] Group 7: Conclusion - Passively managed ETFs like VO are favored by both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency [10]

Core Viewpoint - The iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) is a significant investment vehicle for those seeking exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with substantial assets under management and low expense ratios [1][4]. Group 1: Fund Overview - The iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF was launched on May 22, 2000, and is sponsored by Blackrock, accumulating over $62.70 billion in assets [1]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the S&P 500 Growth Index, which represents the large capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market [7]. Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Large cap companies typically have market capitalizations above $10 billion, characterized by stability and predictable cash flows [2]. - Growth stocks, which the ETF focuses on, exhibit higher than average sales and earnings growth rates but come with higher valuations and risks compared to value stocks [3]. Group 3: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.18%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.44% [4]. - As of August 11, 2025, the ETF has gained approximately 13.22% year-to-date and 31.83% over the past year, with a trading range between $82.96 and $114.73 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 42.6% of the portfolio, followed by Telecom and Consumer Discretionary [5]. - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) is the largest holding at approximately 13.9% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 51.97% of total assets under management [6]. Group 5: Risk and Alternatives - The ETF has a beta of 1.12 and a standard deviation of 20.46% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [8]. - Alternatives to IVW include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), which track similar indices and have different asset sizes and expense ratios [10].

Core Viewpoint - Investing in quality dividend ETFs can enhance portfolio returns and provide capital for reinvestment or savings [1] Group 1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index, focusing on 100 high-yield U.S. dividend stocks across various sectors [4] - Major holdings include Chevron, ConocoPhillips, PepsiCo, Amgen, Cisco, Merck, and AbbVie, among others [5] - The ETF emphasizes companies that have paid dividends for at least 10 consecutive years, ensuring financial strength and stability [6] - It has approximately $69 billion in total assets and an expense ratio of 0.06%, which is below the average for ETFs [7] - The ETF is passively managed, aiming to replicate its index's performance, resulting in lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds [8] - It offers a yield of about 3.85%, significantly higher than the average S&P 500 stock yield of 1.3%, with a total 10-year return of about 200% and a payout increase of 160% [9][10] Group 2: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers index, focusing on large U.S. companies that have consistently increased dividends for at least 10 years [11] - The fund has total net assets of $109.6 billion and contains 337 stocks, with a median market cap of $226 billion, predominantly large-cap companies [12] - Its current yield is around 1.65%, prioritizing dividend growth over high initial payouts, with a low expense ratio of 0.05% [13] - The ETF has delivered a total return of about 240% over the past 10 years, with dividends increasing by approximately 97% [14]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 index has shown impressive returns, generating a total return of 261% since August 2015, driven by low interest rates, economic growth, and passive investment flows [1][2]. Investment Strategy - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is recommended as a smart way to gain exposure to the S&P 500 index, which includes 500 large and profitable U.S. companies [4]. - The ETF provides instant equity diversification, allowing investors to benefit from the overall growth of the American economy without needing to pick individual stocks [6]. Performance Metrics - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has produced a total return of 260% over the past decade, translating to an annualized gain of 13.7%, meaning a $10,000 investment would be worth $36,000 today [7]. - The ETF's low expense ratio of 0.03% is highlighted as a significant advantage, with only $3 going to Vanguard annually from a hypothetical $10,000 investment [8]. Market Conditions - As of August 5, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF trades just 1% below its peak, indicating resilience in the market despite macroeconomic uncertainties [9]. - The article suggests that timing the market is challenging, and investors are encouraged to invest early and consistently to benefit from compounding over time [10]. Future Expectations - While the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is expected to perform well in the long term, there is a caution that annualized gains may revert toward the 10% long-term average [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) provides broad exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with a focus on companies that typically have higher growth potential but also higher risk [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - VTWG is a passively managed ETF launched on September 22, 2010, and is sponsored by Vanguard [1]. - The fund has accumulated over $1.01 billion in assets, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [1]. - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.1%, making it one of the least expensive options available [4]. Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Small cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations below $2 billion, are generally considered to have higher growth potential compared to larger companies, albeit with increased risk [2]. - Growth stocks, which VTWG primarily invests in, are characterized by faster growth rates, higher valuations, and above-average sales and earnings growth [3]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 22% of the portfolio, followed by Healthcare and Industrials [5]. - Individual holdings include Slbbh1142 at approximately 1.19% of total assets, with Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (CRDO) and Fabrinet (FN) also among the top holdings [6]. Group 4: Performance Metrics - VTWG aims to match the performance of the Russell 2000 Growth Index, which includes companies with higher price/book ratios and growth rates [7]. - As of August 8, 2025, the ETF has gained about 1.32% year-to-date and approximately 14.35% over the past year, with a trading range between $163.60 and $229.76 in the last 52 weeks [7]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.15 and a standard deviation of 23.07% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [8]. Group 5: Alternatives and Market Position - VTWG holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment [9]. - Other comparable ETFs include the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) with $11.67 billion in assets and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) with $19.21 billion, each with different expense ratios [10]. Group 6: Market Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) aims to provide broad exposure to the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with a focus on high-potential small cap companies, while managing associated risks [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - XSHQ was launched on April 6, 2017, and has accumulated assets exceeding $306.62 million, categorizing it as an average-sized ETF in its segment [1]. - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.29%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.25% [3]. Group 2: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest allocation is to the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 25.1% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [4]. - Sterling Infrastructure Inc (STRL) represents about 2.44% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for around 20.69% of total assets under management [5]. Group 3: Performance Metrics - XSHQ seeks to replicate the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Quality Index, which includes 120 high-quality securities based on return on equity, accruals ratio, and financial leverage ratio [6]. - As of August 8, 2025, the ETF has experienced a year-to-date loss of approximately 1.19% but has gained about 6.69% over the past year, trading between $34.34 and $47.59 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Blend market segment [8]. - Comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) with $63.09 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.05%, and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with $80.19 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.06% [9]. Group 5: Investment Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10].

Looking for broad exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market? You should consider the SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) , a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on September 25, 2000.The fund is sponsored by State Street Investment Management. It has amassed assets over $3.37 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs attempting to match the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market.Why Small Cap GrowthSitting at a market capitalization below $2 billion, small c ...

Core Viewpoint - The WisdomTree U.S. MidCap ETF (EZM) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Mid Cap Value segment of the U.S. equity market, with assets exceeding $772 million, making it a mid-sized ETF in this category [1] Group 1: ETF Overview - Launched on February 23, 2007, EZM is a passively managed ETF sponsored by WisdomTree [1] - The ETF targets mid cap companies with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, which are perceived to have higher growth prospects compared to large cap companies while being less risky than small cap firms [2] Group 2: Financial Metrics - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.38%, which is competitive within its peer group [4] - It offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.33% [4] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Energy sector, with the top three sectors being Energy, Industrials, and Materials [5] - The top 10 holdings account for approximately 107.03% of total assets under management, indicating a concentrated investment strategy [6] Group 4: Performance Analysis - EZM aims to match the performance of the WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Index, having gained about 0.7% year-to-date and 10.18% over the past year as of August 7, 2025 [7] - The ETF has traded between $51.81 and $68.19 in the past 52 weeks [7] - It has a beta of 1.07 and a standard deviation of 20.67% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium risk investment [8] Group 5: Alternatives and Market Position - EZM holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a moderate outlook based on expected returns, expense ratios, and momentum [9] - Other comparable ETFs include the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) with $13.43 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.23%, and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) with $18.16 billion in assets and a lower expense ratio of 0.07% [10] Group 6: Investment Appeal - Passively managed ETFs like EZM are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [11]