Core Insights - The article compares two small-cap value ETFs: SLYV, which tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, and IWN, which tracks the Russell 2000 Value Index, highlighting their differences in sector allocation, portfolio breadth, and performance [4][5]. Fund Overview - SLYV holds 454 companies with a sector tilt towards financial services (23%), consumer cyclicals (16%), and industrials (15%), with top holdings including Borgwarner, Hecla Mining, and Lincoln National [1]. - IWN has a broader portfolio of 1,407 stocks, primarily focused on financial services (27%), industrials (13%), and healthcare (11%), with top positions including Blk Csh Fnd Treasury Sl Agency, Echostar, and Hecla Mining [2]. Performance and Fees - SLYV is noted for its lower expense ratio and higher dividend yield compared to IWN, which charges 0.09 percentage points more annually [3][6]. - Over the past year, IWN has outperformed SLYV with a return of 13.4% versus 6.4%, although both funds perform comparably over the long term [6]. Sector Allocation - Both funds allocate the largest portion to financials, but SLYV has a more balanced distribution among consumer discretionary, industrials, and information technology, while IWN has healthcare as its third-largest sector [7]. - Investors seeking more healthcare exposure may prefer IWN, whereas those looking for more technology stocks may favor SLYV [7]. Individual Holdings - A notable difference in individual holdings is that IWN's largest holding is a money market fund, constituting 1% of the fund, contrasting with SLYV, which has stocks as its top ten holdings [8].

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is characterized by lower fees, broader sector coverage, and higher yield compared to the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which focuses on technology and has shown recent outperformance [2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than QQQ's 0.20% - As of December 15, 2025, IVV's one-year return is 12.66%, while QQQ's is 15.08% - IVV offers a dividend yield of 1.13%, compared to QQQ's 0.46% - IVV has assets under management (AUM) of $733 billion, while QQQ has $403 billion [4][5] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over the past five years, QQQ experienced a maximum drawdown of -35.12%, while IVV's was -24.52% - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $2,008 with QQQ and $1,878 with IVV over the same period [6] Portfolio Composition - QQQ is heavily weighted in technology (55%), followed by communication services (17%) and consumer cyclicals (13%), with top holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft - IVV tracks the S&P 500, holding 503 stocks across all major sectors, with the largest allocations in technology (34%), financial services (14%), and communication services (10%) [7][8] Investment Strategy Implications - IVV serves as a broad market fund aiming to replicate the S&P 500 index performance, while QQQ is a growth-oriented fund designed for above-average returns over time [10]

Composite image representative of the ETF investment space. Key Points IJR offers broad exposure to small-cap U.S. stocks and could benefit from Fed rate cuts that lower borrowing costs and stimulate growth in 2026. UFO, a niche space-focused ETF, has delivered strong returns driven by government contracts, reduced launch costs, and expanding commercial satellite use. LITP and WZRD target high-growth themes—lithium demand tied to EVs and actively managed options strategies respectively—positioning both ...

Group 1 - The largest gold ETF, SPDR Gold Trust, maintained its holdings at 1052.54 tons as of December 18 [2] - On December 18, spot gold experienced fluctuations, reaching a high of $4374.37 per ounce before closing at $4332.61, down $5.48 or 0.13% [2] - Despite weaker-than-expected U.S. inflation data, market skepticism about data reliability and strong employment figures prevented gold from sustaining its upward momentum [2] Group 2 - Analysts suggest that the recent inflation data, despite its limitations, indicates a potential easing of inflationary pressures, which could influence Federal Reserve actions [3] - Following the inflation report, the market slightly increased the probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut in January 2026 from 26.6% to 28.8% [3] - Initial jobless claims fell to 224,000, below the revised previous value of 237,000 and market expectations of 225,000, highlighting a contrast between strong employment data and weak inflation data [3] Group 3 - Technically, gold appears to be in a consolidation phase with mixed signals from technical indicators [4] - The daily chart shows the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) above the 100-day SMA, both trending upwards, indicating a bullish pattern [4] - Key support levels for gold are identified at $4300, with further potential declines towards $4285, $4250, and $4200 if the price breaks below [4]

Core Insights - The investment landscape is experiencing heightened volatility as it transitions into 2026, leading to investor fatigue and caution [1][7] - Vanguard ETFs are positioned as a strategic choice for both retirees and growth investors, providing a way to navigate a crowded market without needing to reinvent investment strategies [2][3] Vanguard ETFs Overview - Vanguard ETFs, particularly the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: VOO), are highlighted for their ability to offer exposure to over 500 dominant US companies, making them a reliable growth option despite a modest dividend yield of 1.13% [5][6] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF achieved a return of over 35% in 2025, with a dividend yield of 3.74%, showcasing the potential for income and growth [7] - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF includes small and mid-cap stocks, providing a broader market exposure beyond the S&P 500 [7] Investment Strategy - The current market conditions make timing investments challenging, thus Vanguard ETFs are recommended for their ability to mitigate risks while capturing market growth [4][6] - The resilience of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is emphasized, particularly if the tech sector continues to perform well, while still offering benefits from other sectors like healthcare and industrials [6]

Key Points The ETFs listed below pay dividends and invest in quality blue-chip stocks. They can provide investors with relatively safe ways to invest in the stock market today. They have either limited or no exposure to tech. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Whitehall Funds - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF › Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have been red hot in recent years, perhaps too hot. The problem is that has inflated the value of the S&P 500, which has historically been a safe i ...

Core Insights - The ETF industry has experienced significant growth, achieving record inflows of nearly $1.4 trillion, nearly 1,100 new launches, and record trading volume, referred to as the "ETF Triple Crown" [1] - ETF assets have reached $13.2 trillion, accounting for 37% of the combined assets of mutual funds and ETFs, with predictions that ETF assets will soon surpass mutual fund assets [2] ETF Awards and Trends - The SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) was awarded ETF of the year, having nearly $100 billion in assets and $33 billion in organic flows, outperforming larger competitors [3] - The Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) was recognized as the favorite new ETF, being the largest by assets among 2025 launches at over $4 billion, demonstrating the continued appeal of low-cost options [4] - The Horizon Landmark ETF (BENJ) was noted for its clever naming, while the Baron First Principles ETF (RONB) and Bitwise Dogecoin ETF (BWOW) received mentions for their unique branding [5] ETF Issuer Recognition - Vanguard was named ETF issuer of the year, launching 15 ETFs and attracting $421 billion, which constitutes one-third of all ETF flows [6] Industry Trends - The concept of "ETF as a Share Class" was highlighted as the story of the year, with 91 filers seeking exemptive relief, indicating a shift in the industry's recognition of ETFs as legally equivalent to mutual funds [7]

subman / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Quick Read JPMorgan Active Value ETF holds a 24% weighting in financials and 16% in healthcare with individual positions capped at 3%. JPMorgan Tech Leaders ETF maintains all 62 holdings below 5% weighting to reduce single-stock concentration risk. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here JPMorgan (N ...

Core Insights - The U.S. bond market has shown resilience and record-breaking activity in 2025, with the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index returning approximately 7.1% year to date, highlighting the importance of fixed income in investment portfolios [1][10] Bond ETF Market Performance - Bond ETFs captured about one-third of the nearly $1 trillion that flowed into all ETFs in 2025, indicating a significant increase in investor interest, particularly in passively managed ETFs [2][10] - The performance of bond ETFs was influenced by attractive starting yields due to the Federal Reserve's rate cuts totaling 175 basis points since September 2024, which left yields relatively high [6][10] - Market volatility and demand for liquidity during uncertain periods, such as tariff-driven uncertainty, enhanced the appeal of bond ETFs as they provided intraday pricing and liquidity [7] - Actively managed bond ETFs experienced explosive growth, capturing over $100 billion in flows, which accounted for 40% of all fixed income ETF flows as of September 2025 [8] - The normalization of the yield curve attracted significant capital into intermediate and long-term bond ETFs, as investors sought to lock in higher yields [9] 2026 Outlook for Bond ETFs - The outlook for bond ETFs in 2026 is cautiously optimistic, driven by expected interest rate cuts that typically boost bond prices, creating opportunities for income and diversification [11] - Persistent volatility due to inflation and uneven growth suggests that flexible, active management strategies will be favored to navigate credit risk and shifting rates [11] - A well-constructed actively managed portfolio of intermediate maturity bonds may offer capital appreciation and inflation-beating returns in 2026 [12] Recommended Bond ETFs for 2026 - Schwab Core Bond ETF (SCCR) has assets of $1.07 billion, gained 6.2% year to date, and charges 16 basis points in fees [14] - Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) has assets of $4.8 billion, gained 7.4% year to date, and charges 10 basis points in fees [15] - JPMorgan Active Bond ETF (JBND) has assets of $4.7 billion, surged 8% year to date, and charges 25 basis points in fees [16]

Marijuana may soon be reclassified as a schedule III drug, and the news has pushed cannabis ETFs, ahem, higher. The Trump administration’s potentially friendlier stance on bud follows a similar initiative to downgrade the drug from its current schedule I status, which eventually vaporized during the Biden administration. The likely rescheduling would mean more medical research for cannabinoids, and crucially for an industry operating in a gray legal area, it could dramatically reduce taxes. “There are s ...