Core Insights - The First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend ETF (FGD) is a smart beta ETF launched on November 21, 2007, providing broad exposure to the Foreign Large Value ETF category [1] - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, which is a dividend yield weighted index of 100 stocks from developed markets [5] Fund Overview - FGD has accumulated assets of over $862.53 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF within its category [5] - The fund's annual operating expenses are 0.56%, which is competitive with peer products [6] - The ETF has a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 4.64% [6] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, FGD has increased by approximately 32.41%, and it has risen about 27.32% over the last 12 months as of August 21, 2025 [9] - The ETF has traded between $21.80 and $29.06 in the past 52 weeks [9] - FGD has a beta of 0.76 and a standard deviation of 14.83% over the trailing three-year period, indicating it is a low-risk investment [10] Holdings and Sector Exposure - The top 10 holdings of FGD account for about 16.52% of total assets, with Spark New Zealand Limited being the largest holding at approximately 1.97% [7][8] - The ETF holds around 105 different stocks, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the Foreign Large Value segment include the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) and the Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF), which have significantly larger asset bases of $11.88 billion and $17.35 billion, respectively [12] - VYMI has a lower expense ratio of 0.17%, while FNDF charges 0.25% [12]

Core Insights - The WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity ETF (HEDJ) debuted on January 4, 2010, and provides broad exposure to the European Equity ETFs market [1] - HEDJ is designed to neutralize exposure to fluctuations between the Euro and the U.S. dollar while tracking the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index [5] Fund Overview - HEDJ is managed by WisdomTree and has accumulated over $1.81 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the European Equity category [5] - The fund has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.58% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.26% [6] Performance Metrics - As of August 19, 2025, HEDJ has gained approximately 16.55% year-to-date and 17.13% over the past year, with a trading range between $41.90 and $50.31 in the last 52 weeks [9] - The fund has a beta of 0.79 and a standard deviation of 16.06% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [10] Holdings and Sector Exposure - The fund's top 10 holdings account for about 134.89% of its total assets under management, with the U.S. dollar representing approximately 88.27% of total assets [7][8] - HEDJ offers diversified exposure, effectively minimizing single stock risk with around 135 holdings [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the European Equity space include iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) with $7.99 billion in assets and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) with $26.93 billion [12] - EZU has an expense ratio of 0.51% while VGK charges 0.06%, presenting lower-cost options for investors [12]

Group 1: Core Insights - The iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) debuted on April 28, 2015, providing broad exposure to the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF category [1] - The fund is managed by Blackrock and has accumulated over $441.4 million in assets, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The fund aims to match the performance of the MSCI World exUSA Small Cap Diversified Multiple-Factor Index [5] Group 2: Fund Characteristics - The annual operating expenses for ISCF are 0.23%, making it one of the cheaper options in the market [7] - The fund has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.94% [7] - The top 10 holdings account for approximately 5.56% of total assets under management, with Banco De Sabadell Sa being the largest holding at 0.83% [8][9] Group 3: Performance Metrics - As of August 19, 2025, ISCF has gained about 26.71% year-to-date and approximately 25.28% over the last year [10] - The fund has traded between $30.25 and $40.15 during the past 52 weeks [10] - ISCF has a beta of 0.82 and a standard deviation of 16.30% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [11] Group 4: Alternatives and Market Context - ISCF is a viable option for investors looking to outperform the Foreign Small/Mid Blend ETF segment, but there are alternative ETFs available [12] - Other ETFs in the space include SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF (GWX) with $758.52 million in assets and Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) with $4.75 billion [13] - GWX has an expense ratio of 0.40%, while SCHC has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% [13]

Core Insights - The Invesco Large Cap Growth ETF (PWB) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Growth category, launched on March 3, 2005 [1] Fund Overview - PWB is a smart beta ETF with assets exceeding $1.25 billion, aiming to match the performance of the Dynamic Large Cap Growth Intellidex Index [5] - The fund has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.53% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.06% [6] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The largest sector allocation for PWB is Information Technology at approximately 32.2%, followed by Financials and Industrials [7] - Oracle Corp (ORCL) constitutes about 4.54% of total assets, with Nvidia Corp (NVDA) and Broadcom Inc (AVGO) also among the top holdings; the top 10 holdings represent around 35.24% of total assets [8] Performance Metrics - As of August 18, 2025, PWB has gained about 17.63% year-to-date and approximately 26.67% over the past year, with a trading range between $86.24 and $120.82 in the last 52 weeks [10] - The fund has a beta of 1.12 and a standard deviation of 19.09% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large cap growth space include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) with $186.18 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.04%, and Invesco QQQ (QQQ) with $368.25 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.20% [11]

Core Viewpoint - The WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) is a smart beta ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the large-cap value segment of the market, with a focus on dividend-paying stocks [1][5]. Fund Overview - DLN was launched on June 16, 2006, and has accumulated over $5.22 billion in assets, positioning it as one of the larger ETFs in its category [1][5]. - The fund seeks to match the performance of the WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Index, which is fundamentally weighted and measures the performance of large-cap U.S. dividend-paying stocks [5]. Cost and Performance - The annual operating expenses for DLN are 0.28%, which is competitive within its peer group [6]. - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.90% [6]. - Year-to-date, DLN has gained approximately 10.24%, and it has increased about 15.77% over the past year, with a trading range between $70.70 and $84.97 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Risk Profile - DLN has a beta of 0.81 and a standard deviation of 13.50% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [9]. - The fund holds approximately 307 stocks, which helps to diversify company-specific risk [9]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The fund's assets are primarily in U.S. dollars, with major holdings including Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) [7]. - The top 10 holdings account for about 125.52% of total assets under management, indicating a concentrated investment strategy [7]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large-cap value space include Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), which have significantly larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is a leading passively managed ETF that offers broad exposure to the Technology sector, making it an attractive option for both institutional and retail investors due to its low costs and tax efficiency [1][3]. Group 1: ETF Overview - Launched on January 26, 2004, VGT aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index [1][3]. - VGT has accumulated over $100.82 billion in assets, making it the largest ETF in the Technology - Broad segment [3]. - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.09%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the market [5]. Group 2: Sector Exposure and Holdings - VGT is heavily concentrated in the Information Technology sector, with approximately 99.9% of its portfolio allocated to this sector [6]. - The top holdings include Nvidia Corp (NVDA) at about 16.75%, followed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Apple Inc (AAPL) [7]. Group 3: Performance Metrics - As of August 13, 2025, VGT has gained approximately 13.78% year-to-date and 31.72% over the past year [8]. - The ETF has traded between $470.37 and $706.07 in the last 52 weeks, indicating significant price movement [8]. - VGT has a beta of 1.25 and a standard deviation of 24.78% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium-risk investment [8]. Group 4: Alternatives and Rankings - VGT holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong expected performance based on various factors [9]. - Other alternatives in the technology ETF space include iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK), with respective assets of $23.33 billion and $85.64 billion [10].

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF (XMMO) is a significant player in the Mid Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with over $4.16 billion in assets, providing investors with a diversified investment option in this sector [1][10]. Group 1: Mid Cap Growth Characteristics - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, typically exhibit higher growth prospects compared to large cap companies while being less volatile than small cap companies, offering a balance of stability and growth potential [2]. - Growth stocks generally have higher sales and earnings growth rates, expected to outpace the wider market, but they also come with higher valuations and volatility, performing well in strong bull markets but struggling in other market conditions [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.39% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.67%, which is competitive within its peer group [4]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the S&P MIDCAP 400 MOMENTUM INDEX, achieving a return of approximately 5.34% year-to-date and 15.38% over the past year, with a trading range between $101.93 and $136.30 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 27.6% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Consumer Staples [5]. - The top holding, Interactive Brokers Group Inc (IBKR), represents about 5.18% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 29.67% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - The ETF has a beta of 1.03 and a standard deviation of 20.44% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification of company-specific risk with around 79 holdings [8]. - Alternatives in the Mid Cap Growth ETF 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 $19.77 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.23% [11]. Group 5: Market Trends - There is a growing trend among retail and institutional investors towards passively managed ETFs due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [12].

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector ETF (QTEC) is a smart beta ETF designed to provide broad exposure to the technology sector, with a focus on outperforming traditional market cap weighted indexes [1][5]. Fund Overview - QTEC was launched on April 19, 2006, and is managed by First Trust Advisors, accumulating over $2.67 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the technology sector [1][5]. - The fund aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, which is an equal-weighted index based on technology securities from the NASDAQ-100 Index [5]. Cost Structure - QTEC has annual operating expenses of 0.55%, which is competitive within its peer group [6]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 86.6% of the portfolio, with Telecom and Consumer Discretionary as the next largest sectors [7]. - Datadog, Inc. (class A) (DDOG) is the largest holding at about 2.57% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 23.9% of total assets under management [8]. Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, QTEC has returned roughly 12.71%, and it is up approximately 19.06% over the last 12 months as of August 11, 2025 [10]. - The ETF has traded between $149.56 and $218.81 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.25 and a standard deviation of 28.20% over the trailing three-year period, indicating higher risk compared to peers [10]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the technology sector include the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) and the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT), which have significantly larger asset bases of $84.79 billion and $99.8 billion, respectively [12]. - XLK has a lower expense ratio of 0.08%, while VGT charges 0.09% [12].

Core Insights - The Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index ETF (FNDC) debuted on August 13, 2013, and provides broad exposure to the Foreign Small/Mid Value ETF category [1] - FNDC is managed by Charles Schwab and aims to match the performance of the Russell RAFI Developed ex-U.S. Small Co. Index [5] Fund Overview - FNDC has accumulated over $2.99 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [5] - The fund has an annual operating expense of 0.39% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.70% [6] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, FNDC has increased by approximately 26.46%, and it is up about 29.98% over the last 12 months as of August 7, 2025 [9] - The fund has a beta of 0.80 and a standard deviation of 15.68% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a low-risk profile [10] Holdings and Sector Exposure - FNDC's top 10 holdings account for about 1.56% of its total assets, with Celestica Inc (CLS) being the largest at approximately 0.23% [7][8] - The fund holds around 1727 different stocks, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [10] Alternatives in the Market - Other ETFs in the Foreign Small/Mid Value segment include Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) and WisdomTree Dynamic International SmallCap Equity Fund (DDLS), with assets of $365.06 million and $438.6 million respectively [12] - PDN has an expense ratio of 0.47%, while DDLS has an expense ratio of 0.48% [12]

Core Viewpoint - The iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) is a smart beta ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the global market while focusing on low carbon emissions [1][5]. Fund Overview - Launched on December 8, 2014, CRBN has accumulated over $1.03 billion in assets, positioning it as one of the larger ETFs in the World ETFs category [1][5]. - The fund is sponsored by Blackrock and seeks to match the performance of the MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target Index, which addresses carbon emissions and potential emissions from fossil fuel reserves [5]. Cost and Performance - CRBN has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.20%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category [6]. - The fund's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 1.86% [6]. - As of August 5, 2025, CRBN has returned approximately 11.36% and is up about 20.97% year-to-date [9]. Holdings and Sector Exposure - The top 10 holdings of CRBN account for about 23.1% of its total assets, with Nvidia Corp (NVDA) making up approximately 4.68% of the fund [7][8]. - The fund holds around 1020 different stocks, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [10]. Risk Profile - CRBN has a beta of 0.94 and a standard deviation of 15.70% over the trailing three-year period, indicating it is a low-risk choice within its category [10].