Cryptocurrency Market Insights - Cryptocurrency has evolved from a speculative asset to an institutionally recognized market, with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs gaining approval, potentially leading to increased institutional investment and reduced volatility [2][6] - In 2025, over 22 million tokens were added to the crypto market, with Bitcoin starting the year at $98,314.95, reaching an all-time high of $124,752.13, and ending at $88,429.58 [4] - The approval of ETFs is expected to attract institutional interest, while regulatory supervision may help stabilize the market and reduce volatility [5][6] - Investors can choose between direct token ownership for higher potential returns or spot ETFs for federal oversight and reduced technical burdens [7] Stock Market Overview - The stock market experienced significant volatility in 2025, highlighted by a tech sell-off triggered by the release of a low-cost Chinese AI model, leading to a 3% drop in the Nasdaq and a 17% plunge in Nvidia shares, erasing nearly $600 billion in market value [8] - The S&P 500 gained approximately 16%-17% in 2025, driven by factors such as "AI euphoria," Federal Reserve policy changes, and reactions to geopolitical news [9] - The 2025 cycle set a high-stakes environment for 2026, characterized by aggressive AI scaling and lower interest rates, with the S&P 500 surpassing 6,900, indicating strong momentum despite potential volatility [10] - The market is expected to broaden beyond tech giants into traditional sectors as the Federal Reserve continues to lower borrowing costs, although high valuations and geopolitical tensions may lead to extreme volatility [10][11]

Core Insights - The article discusses the author's long-term investment approach, focusing on REITs, preferred stocks, and high-yield bonds, which began in high school in 2011 [1] - The author has recently combined long stock positions with covered calls and cash secured puts, indicating a strategic evolution in investment tactics [1] - The primary focus of the author's analysis on Seeking Alpha is on REITs and financials, with occasional insights into ETFs and other stocks influenced by macroeconomic trends [1] Investment Strategy - The investment strategy is fundamentally driven, emphasizing a long-term perspective rather than short-term gains [1] - The author has developed a fascination with markets and the economy over the years, suggesting a deep understanding of market dynamics [1] Coverage Focus - The author primarily covers REITs and financial sectors, indicating a specialization that may provide in-depth insights into these areas [1] - The occasional articles on ETFs and other stocks suggest a broader interest in market trends and investment opportunities beyond the primary focus [1]

Core Insights - The FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond ETF (SKOR) offers broad exposure to the Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETFs category and debuted on 11/12/2014 [1] - SKOR has amassed assets over $643.67 million, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The fund seeks to match the performance of the Northern Trust Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index, which focuses on investment-grade bonds with favorable valuations [6] Fund Management and Costs - Managed by Flexshares, SKOR has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.15%, which is competitive within its peer group [7] - The fund's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 4.69% [7] Holdings and Sector Exposure - SKOR's top 10 holdings account for approximately 4.29% of its total assets, with cash making up about 1.01% of the fund [8][9] - The fund is transparent about its holdings, disclosing them daily [8] Performance Metrics - As of 01/09/2026, SKOR has added roughly 0.03% year-to-date and is up approximately 8.08% over the past year [10] - The fund has traded between $47.30 and $49.50 in the last 52 weeks [10] - SKOR has a beta of 0.23 and a standard deviation of 3.98% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a high-risk profile [11] Alternatives and Market Position - SKOR is positioned as a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETFs segment [12] - Other alternatives include the State Street SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPIB) and the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT), which have significantly larger asset bases [13] - SPIB has an expense ratio of 0.04% and VCIT charges 0.03%, making them cheaper options [13]

Core Insights - The S&P 500 has experienced three consecutive years of returns significantly exceeding its long-term average of approximately 10% as it enters 2026, despite investor concerns regarding a "K-shaped" recovery in the U.S. economy and geopolitical tensions following U.S. actions against Venezuela [1][2]. Market Performance - The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) has gained 1.2% from the start of 2026 until January 6, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) have increased by 2.5% and 1.2%, respectively [3]. - Value stocks have outperformed growth stocks, with the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV) rising by 1.5% compared to the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG), which increased by 1% [4]. ETFs in Focus - The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is expected to benefit from the "January Effect," a seasonal increase in stock prices due to year-end tax strategies, with small-cap stocks typically performing well in January [5]. - The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is likely to see inflows from retirement contributions and fund rebalancing, which often favor high-momentum stocks at the beginning of the year [6]. - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has seen strong performance due to sustained demand for AI, cloud computing, and advanced data centers, with chipmakers benefiting from high-performance processor orders [7][8]. Sector Highlights - Defense stocks have rallied due to increased military spending expectations following U.S. actions against Venezuela, with global defense spending projected to exceed $3.6 trillion by 2030, marking a 33% increase from 2024 levels [11][12]. - The healthcare sector is gaining traction as a defensive investment, with biotech stocks strengthening due to innovations and mergers, and major drugmakers expected to invest approximately $370 billion in U.S. projects over the next five years [14].

Core Viewpoint - TappAlpha and Tuttle Capital Management have launched the T² Lift™ Series, a new line of ETFs designed to provide light-leverage exposure to the daily income and growth strategies of TSPY and TDAQ, aiming for 30% more exposure to these popular ETFs [2][3][4] Company Overview - TappAlpha is a fintech-powered ETF issuer established in 2023, focused on making advanced investment strategies accessible to all investors, emphasizing simplicity and transparency [6] - Tuttle Capital Management is recognized for its innovative and tactical ETF solutions across various asset classes, with a history of introducing differentiated concepts to the market [7] Product Details - The T² Lift™ Series aims to enhance income potential and market participation by providing 30% additional exposure to the underlying equity of TSPY (S&P 500) and TDAQ (Nasdaq-100) [3][4] - The funds utilize a rules-based daily options approach, maintaining the same risk discipline as the original ETFs while amplifying exposure [7] Market Context - TSPY and TDAQ are among the fastest-growing ETFs in the market, indicating strong investor interest and demand for innovative investment strategies [3][4]

Core Insights - The surge in silver prices has prompted mining companies to adjust their pricing strategies based on evolving fundamentals [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Mining companies are increasingly factoring in the changing fundamentals of silver into their pricing models [1] - The iShares MSCI Global Silver holdings reflect these adjustments in market behavior [1] Group 2: Research and Analysis - Financial Serenity, managed by Tommaso Scarpellini, focuses on asset management sector analysis [1] - The initiative aims to provide in-depth insights into the dynamics of the asset management market [1] - The analysis combines rigorous data evaluation with actionable opinions on ETFs and trending instruments [1]

Core Insights - Ark Invest's ETFs significantly outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025, with the Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF leading the gains [1][2] Performance Comparison - The S&P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), had a gain of +16.6% in 2025, while the following Ark Invest ETFs showed the following gains: - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ): +49.8% - Ark Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX): +49.2% - Ark Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW): +35.4% - Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK): +35.2% - Ark Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF): +27.2% - Ark Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG): +18.4% [5] Sector Focus - The top-performing Ark Invest ETFs were heavily weighted in sectors such as AI, robotics, and space, which experienced strong returns in 2025 [3] Upcoming Opportunities - A potential SpaceX IPO in 2026 could enhance the visibility and performance of the Ark Space & Defense Innovation ETF and other space-related investments [3] Holdings Analysis - The top 10 holdings of the Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and the Ark Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) show significant overlap, with both funds sharing nine of the same stocks. The only differences are Tesla as the top holding in ARKQ and L3Harris as the second-largest holding in ARKX [8] Future Trends - AI, autonomous technology, and robotics are expected to remain key trends, potentially benefiting ARKQ in 2026. Increased revenue for defense companies due to global tensions may also position ARKX for strong performance [9]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) are both low-cost ETFs that provide exposure to large-cap growth stocks in the U.S. market, with VONG tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index and VOOG tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index [5][6] Group 1: ETF Characteristics - VONG consists of 391 stocks with a sector allocation of 61.8% in technology, 16.8% in consumer discretionary, and 8.1% in industrials, while VOOG has 217 holdings with a 41.4% allocation in technology, 16.75% in communication services, and 11.86% in consumer discretionary [1][2] - The largest holdings in VONG include Nvidia (12.22%), Apple (12.04%), and Microsoft (10.79%), while VOOG's top positions are Nvidia (13.51%), Apple (5.96%), and Microsoft (5.95%) [1][2] - Both ETFs have an expense ratio of 0.07% and a dividend yield of 0.5%, making them equally affordable options for investors [3] Group 2: Investment Strategy - VONG offers broader exposure to growth stocks as it includes companies outside the S&P 500, while VOOG is limited to S&P 500 companies [7] - Both ETFs are heavily tilted towards technology, which may lead to higher volatility in VONG due to its greater exposure to the tech sector [9] - Investors may consider splitting their investments between the two ETFs to maximize exposure to growth stocks [9]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) focuses on large-cap value stocks, while the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) aims to provide diversified access to the entire U.S. stock market, including both growth and value stocks [2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - VTV has an expense ratio of 0.04% and assets under management (AUM) of $215.5 billion, while ITOT has a slightly lower expense ratio of 0.03% and an AUM of $80.39 billion [3] - The 1-year return for VTV is 12.66%, compared to ITOT's 11.67%, and VTV offers a higher dividend yield of 2% versus ITOT's 1.09% [3] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over a 5-year period, VTV experienced a maximum drawdown of 53.7%, while ITOT had a lower maximum drawdown of 27.57% [4] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $1,606 in VTV and $1,707 in ITOT over the same 5-year period [4] Portfolio Composition - ITOT holds 2,498 stocks, with technology companies making up 34% of its assets, followed by financial services and consumer cyclicals [5] - VTV is concentrated in established value stocks, with significant weightings in financial services (22%), industrials (16%), and healthcare (15%) [7] Investment Implications - ITOT's broader exposure provides instant portfolio diversification and increased concentration in the technology sector, appealing to investors looking for long-term growth [9] - VTV's focus on established value stocks may offer a stronger hedge against market volatility and a higher dividend yield, attracting income-focused investors [10]

Core Insights - Despite gold's significant rally in 2025, the Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) led with approximately $450 million in inflows, indicating strong investor interest in silver [1] - Silver experienced a remarkable gain of over 140% in 2025, benefiting from its dual role as both a precious and industrial metal, which positions it as a value-focused safe haven asset amid market uncertainty [2] - The Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) followed with nearly $170 million in inflows, focusing on companies in the critical minerals sector, which is poised for further growth [3] - The Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) secured over $95 million in inflows, providing investors with diversified exposure to both gold and silver mining sectors [4] - The Sprott Copper Miners ETF (COPP) ranked fourth in inflows, driven by increased electricity demand and potential growth from AI-related capital expenditures [5] - The Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (COPJ) is noteworthy for its focus on mid, small, and microcap companies in the copper mining sector, which may benefit from reduced debt servicing costs due to anticipated rate cuts [6]