Inflation and Tariffs - Inflation in the United States accelerated in June, with the Consumer Price Index growing 2.7% year over year, up from 2.4% in May, marking the highest level since February [1] - Month over month, inflation climbed 0.3%, an increase from a 0.1% rise the previous month [1] - Tariffs imposed under President Trump are raising costs for everyday goods, with core prices (excluding food and energy) increasing to 2.9% from 2.8% [2] Impact of Tariffs - The inflation increase coincides with tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, including a 10% levy on all imports, 50% duties on steel and aluminum, 30% on Chinese goods, and 25% on imported automobiles [3] - Gasoline prices rose 1% from May to June, grocery prices climbed 0.35%, and appliance prices increased for the third consecutive month [3] - Major companies like Walmart, Nike, and Mitsubishi have acknowledged passing higher costs onto consumers, with some firms previously stockpiling inventory to delay price hikes [4] Dividend Investing Strategy - Dividend investing is highlighted as a viable strategy due to its income generation, providing a steady stream of income even amid market volatility [4] - Companies with a strong history of dividend growth may continue to increase dividends, which can help offset rising interest rates [5] - Dividend-paying stocks are often found in defensive sectors such as utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare, which can provide stability during economic downturns [6] Benefits of Dividend Stocks - Reinvesting dividends can enhance compounding returns, leading to exponential growth over the long term [7] - Dividend-paying stocks can serve as a hedge against inflation, as companies that can pass on increased costs to customers may maintain or increase profitability [7] ETFs for Dividend Investing - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is the largest in the dividend space with an AUM of $93 billion, holding 337 stocks and charging 5 bps in annual fees [9] - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has an AUM of $61.8 billion, holding 582 stocks and charging 6 bps in annual fees [11] - iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) tracks 397 companies with sustained dividend growth, has an AUM of $32.5 billion, and charges 8 bps in fees [12] - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) provides exposure to high dividend income stocks with an AUM of $7 billion, holding 77 stocks and charging 7 bps in annual fees [13] - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers exposure to 103 high-dividend-yielding U.S. companies, with an AUM of $71.3 billion and charging 6 bps in annual fees [14]

Core Viewpoint - The SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is a smart beta ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the large-cap blend market segment, with a focus on outperforming traditional market cap weighted indexes [1][5]. Fund Overview - Launched on April 15, 2015, QUS has accumulated over $1.55 billion in assets, positioning it as one of the larger ETFs in its category [1][5]. - The fund is sponsored by State Street Global Advisors and seeks to match the performance of the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Index [5]. Cost Structure - QUS has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.15%, making it one of the cheaper options in the smart beta ETF space [6]. - The fund's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 1.44% [6]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The largest sector allocation for QUS is Information Technology, comprising approximately 25.1% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Healthcare [7]. - Microsoft Corp (MSFT) is the top holding at about 3.22% of total assets, with Apple Inc (AAPL) and Nvidia Corp (NVDA) also among the top positions. The top 10 holdings account for about 21.39% of total assets [8]. Performance Metrics - As of July 16, 2025, QUS has gained approximately 5.3% year-to-date and 8.73% over the past year [9]. - The fund has traded between $140.84 and $164.55 in the last 52 weeks [9]. Risk Profile - QUS has a beta of 0.88 and a standard deviation of 14.33% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10]. - The fund holds about 552 securities, which helps to diversify company-specific risk [10]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large-cap blend space include SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), with assets of $639.29 billion and $688.86 billion respectively. SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% and VOO charges 0.03% [11].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is a smart beta ETF launched on April 21, 2006, providing broad exposure to the large-cap blend market segment [1] - VIG aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers Select Index, focusing on companies with a history of increasing dividends [5] Fund Overview - VIG has amassed over $92.31 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in its category [5] - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.05%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options available [6] - The 12-month trailing dividend yield for VIG is 1.72% [6] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 25.9% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Healthcare [7] - Broadcom Inc (AVGO) represents about 5.11% of the fund's total assets, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Jpmorgan Chase & Co (JPM) also among the top holdings [8] Performance Metrics - VIG has increased by roughly 5.27% year-to-date and has risen about 10.67% over the past year as of July 16, 2025 [9] - The ETF has traded between $173.71 and $207.81 in the past 52 weeks [9] - VIG has a beta of 0.85 and a standard deviation of 14.24% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the same space include WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth ETF (DGRW) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO), with assets of $15.95 billion and $32.19 billion respectively [12] - DGRW has an expense ratio of 0.28%, while DGRO has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) is a significant player in the Large Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with over $9.59 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in this category [1] Group 1: Fund Overview - XLG is a passively managed ETF launched on May 4, 2005, sponsored by Invesco [1] - The fund targets companies with market capitalizations above $10 billion, which are typically stable with predictable cash flows [2] Group 2: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expenses for XLG are 0.20%, which is competitive within its peer group, and it has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.70% [3] - As of July 16, 2025, XLG has increased by approximately 5.87% year-to-date and 12.06% over the past year, with a trading range between $40.94 and $52.70 in the last 52 weeks [6] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation of about 44.70% to the Information Technology sector, with Telecom and Consumer Discretionary following [4] - Microsoft Corp (MSFT) constitutes about 11.57% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings making up approximately 60.6% of total assets under management [5] Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - XLG has a beta of 1.04 and a standard deviation of 18.92% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [7] - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is a strong option for investors seeking exposure to the Large Cap Blend segment [8] Group 5: Competitive Landscape - Other ETFs like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) also track similar indices, with SPY having $639.29 billion and VOO $688.86 billion in assets, and lower expense ratios of 0.09% and 0.03% respectively [9] 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 [10]

Core Insights - The First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX ETF (FNY) is a smart beta ETF launched on April 19, 2011, providing broad exposure to the mid-cap growth segment of the market [1] Fund Overview - FNY is managed by First Trust Advisors and has accumulated assets exceeding $391.58 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The ETF aims to replicate the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Mid Cap Growth Index, utilizing the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology [5] Cost Structure - The annual operating expenses for FNY are 0.70%, making it one of the more expensive options in the mid-cap growth ETF space [6] - The 12-month trailing dividend yield for FNY is 0.57% [6] Sector Allocation and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 21.4% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Healthcare [7] - Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) represents about 1.34% of the fund's total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for around 9.41% of total assets under management [8] Performance Metrics - As of July 15, 2025, FNY has increased by approximately 4.09% year-to-date and 11.12% over the past year [10] - The ETF has a beta of 1.15 and a standard deviation of 21.20% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the mid-cap growth space include the Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) with $17.34 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.07%, and the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IWP) with $19.42 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.23% [12]

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is a leading option for investors seeking exposure to the Mid Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $97.42 billion, making it the largest ETF in this category [1] Group 1: Mid Cap Blend Overview - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, generally offer higher growth prospects and lower volatility compared to large and small cap companies [2] - Blend ETFs typically hold a mix of growth and value stocks, providing a balanced investment approach [2] Group 2: Cost Structure - The annual operating expense ratio for IJH is 0.05%, positioning it as one of the more cost-effective options in the ETF market [3] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.35% [3] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF's largest sector allocation is to Industrials, comprising about 23% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [4] - Emcor Group Inc (EME) represents approximately 0.78% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 3% of total assets under management [5] Group 4: Performance Metrics - IJH aims to replicate the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, with a year-to-date return of roughly 2.70% and a one-year return of approximately 6.75% as of July 15, 2025 [6] - The ETF has traded between $51.16 and $67.87 over the past 52 weeks [6] Group 5: Risk Assessment - IJH has a beta of 1.05 and a standard deviation of 19.63% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium risk investment [7] - The ETF holds about 410 different securities, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [7] Group 6: Alternatives - The iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) are alternative options, with IWR having $42.86 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.19%, while VO has $84.50 billion and charges 0.04% [9] Group 7: Market 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]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco S&P MidCap Value with Momentum ETF (XMVM) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Mid Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with assets over $268.40 million, making it an average-sized ETF in this category [1] Group 1: Mid Cap Value Characteristics - Mid cap companies have market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, offering a balance of growth potential and stability compared to large and small cap companies [2] - Value stocks typically have lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, but also lower sales and earnings growth rates; historically, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in most markets [3] Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.39% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.07%, which is competitive within its peer group [4] - XMVM aims to match the performance of the S&P MIDCAP 400 HIGH MOMENTUM VALUE INDEX, having gained approximately 5.31% year-to-date and 10.17% over the past year as of July 15, 2025 [7] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 46.60% of the portfolio, with Consumer Discretionary and Industrials following [5] - Avnet Inc (AVT) represents about 2.77% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 21.15% of total assets under management [6] Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - XMVM has a beta of 1.08 and a standard deviation of 21.28% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification of company-specific risk with around 80 holdings [8] - Alternatives to XMVM include the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE), which have larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [11]

ETF Market & Innovation - ARK Innovation ETF 接近 52 周高点 [1] - ARK Innovation ETF 收益惊人，去年回报超过 170% [1] - ARK Innovation ETF 目前管理着 170 亿美元的资产 [1] - 公司进行原创研究，试图找出能够改变世界的公司 [1]

Core Insights - The First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX ETF (FXD) is a smart beta ETF launched on May 8, 2007, providing broad exposure to the Consumer Discretionary sector [1] - FXD is managed by First Trust Advisors and has accumulated over $334.25 million in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [5] - The fund aims to match the performance of the StrataQuant Consumer Discretionary Index using the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology [5] Fund Characteristics - FXD has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.61%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.10% [6] - The ETF has a significant allocation of approximately 75.6% in the Consumer Discretionary sector, with Telecom and Industrials also represented [7] - The top three holdings include Carvana Co. (CVNA) at 2.07%, Five Below, Inc. (FIVE), and Spotify Technology S.a. (SPOT), with the top 10 holdings comprising about 15.9% of total assets [8] Performance Metrics - As of July 14, 2025, FXD has returned approximately 1.78% year-to-date and 9.79% over the past year, with a trading range between $50.42 and $68.52 in the last 52 weeks [10] - The fund has a beta of 1.20 and a standard deviation of 22.04% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10] Alternatives - Investors seeking to outperform the Consumer Discretionary ETFs segment may consider alternatives such as the Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY), which have significantly larger asset bases of $6.17 billion and $22.66 billion respectively [12] - VCR has a lower expense ratio of 0.09% compared to FXD, while XLY has an expense ratio of 0.08% [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Janus Henderson Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSMD) provides broad exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with a focus on small and medium-sized companies that are expected to grow rapidly [1][7]. Group 1: Fund Overview - JSMD is a passively managed ETF launched on February 23, 2016, and has accumulated assets exceeding $537.74 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [1]. - The ETF has annual operating expenses of 0.30% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.82%, making it competitive with peer products [4]. Group 2: Investment Strategy and Performance - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Janus Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha Index, which selects stocks based on growth, profitability, and capital efficiency [7]. - As of July 14, 2025, JSMD has returned approximately 4.24% year-to-date and 14.95% over the past year, with a trading range between $62.52 and $82.80 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 20.60% of the portfolio, followed by Information Technology and Industrials [5]. - The top 10 holdings account for approximately 20.53% of total assets, with Equitable Holdings Inc. (EQH) making up about 2.37% of total assets [6]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - JSMD carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Growth area [10]. - Other comparable ETFs include the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO) with $11.76 billion in assets and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) with $19.20 billion, both of which have lower expense ratios [11].