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The Small Cap Industrial ETF That Has Crushed the S&P 500 by 145 Points
247Wallst· 2026-02-25 17:36
Core Insights - The First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has outperformed the S&P 500 by 145 points, returning 221.7% over five years and gaining 24% in 2026 [1] ETF Overview - AIRR focuses on small- and mid-cap U.S. companies involved in building, moving, and maintaining physical infrastructure, with 91.5% of its holdings in industrials [1] - The fund charges an annual fee of 0.69% and has a turnover rate of 60%, with minimal defensive exposure outside of industrials and regional banks [1] Portfolio Composition - The ETF holds 50 positions, with top holdings including Comfort Systems USA, EMCOR Group, Sterling Infrastructure, MasTec, and Saia [1] - The top 10 holdings account for approximately 33.6% of the fund, maintaining a balanced position sizing within its concentrated strategy [1] Performance Metrics - AIRR's long-term performance significantly exceeds that of the Russell 2000 and S&P 500, reflecting the benefits of the reshoring trend and increased domestic industrial activity [1] - In 2026, AIRR has continued its upward trajectory, supported by a 3.2% growth in U.S. manufacturing value added in Q3 2025 [1] Investment Considerations - The ETF's concentration in industrials and regional financials poses a risk, as any slowdown in domestic capital spending could adversely affect its performance [1] - AIRR's active management and higher expense ratio compared to broad index alternatives may impact net returns, particularly in taxable accounts [1] - The cyclical nature of AIRR's investment thesis is tied to the sustainability of U.S. reshoring and infrastructure investment [1]