Group 1 - The article discusses the First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and its strategy update [1] - The Sunday Investor focuses exclusively on U.S. Equity ETFs and has developed a proprietary ETF Rankings system that evaluates nearly 1,000 ETFs based on various factors [1] - The ETF Rankings system provides individual factor scores covering costs, liquidity, risk, size, value, dividends, growth, quality, momentum, and sentiment, resulting in a composite score from 1-10 [1] Group 2 - The Sunday Investor is actively engaged in the comments section of articles and encourages interaction with readers [1]

Core Insights - Richmond Investment Services, LLC has significantly reduced its holding in the First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY), trimming its position by $6.31 million as of November 12, 2025, while still maintaining it as their tenth-largest position [1][2]. Group 1: Holdings and Financial Metrics - Richmond sold 206,264 shares of SDVY, reducing its stake to 354,450 shares valued at $13.5 million as of September 30, 2025 [2]. - The sale decreased the position's share of fund AUM from 4.2% to 2.5% [2]. - As of December 9, 2025, SDVY shares were priced at $38.41, reflecting a 1% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 14 percentage points [3]. Group 2: ETF Overview - The First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has an AUM of $9.25 billion and a dividend yield of 1.34% [4]. - The ETF aims to provide targeted exposure to small- and mid-cap U.S. equities with a strong track record of dividend increases, balancing income generation with potential capital appreciation [5][7]. Group 3: Performance and Comparison - Since its inception in 2017, SDVY has underperformed the S&P 500's total returns by 121% to 203%, largely due to the latter's significant allocation to high-performing stocks [10]. - SDVY's P/E ratio stands at 16, making it more attractive from a value perspective compared to the S&P 500's ratio of approximately 29 [11]. - The ETF's expense ratio is 0.59%, which is considered high relative to standard tracking indexes [11]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - The ETF employs a rules-based approach, focusing on dividend growth companies, with at least 90% of assets invested in index constituents [5][7]. - SDVY's diversified holdings and disciplined selection criteria position it as a strategic investment tool for investors seeking quality and growth within the SMID-cap segment [8].

Core Insights - Uniting Wealth Partners has established a new position in the First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF, acquiring 200,141 shares valued at $7.61 million at the end of Q3 [1][2] Group 1: Investment Position - The new stake in SDVY represents 1.8% of Uniting Wealth Partners' 13F reportable assets under management, making it one of the firm's top ten positions [3] - The value of Uniting Wealth Partners' assets under management increased significantly from $258.6 million in Q2 to $423.7 million in Q3, with the number of holdings rising from around 115 to almost 200 [9] Group 2: ETF Overview - As of December 2, 2025, SDVY shares were priced at $38.03, reflecting a decline of 4.8% over the past year and trailing the S&P 500 by 17.47 percentage points [3][4] - The ETF has a 12-month distribution rate of 1.45% and an expense ratio of 0.59% [4] - SDVY focuses on U.S. small- and mid-cap equities with a history of dividend increases, aiming for both income and capital appreciation [5][8] Group 3: Investment Strategy - SDVY employs a systematic approach based on disciplined selection criteria, targeting long-term capital appreciation and rising income potential [8][11] - The ETF's portfolio consists of 100 small and mid-cap companies known for raising dividends, providing diversification across sectors and industries [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) offers investors exposure to mid-cap value stocks with a focus on companies that have a history of increasing dividends [1][5][6]. Fund Overview - SDVY was launched on November 1, 2017, and is managed by First Trust Advisors, accumulating over $8.73 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [1][5]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers Index, which includes 100 small and mid-cap companies known for raising dividends [5][6]. Cost and Expenses - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.59%, which is considered high compared to other funds in the space [7]. - It offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.96% [7]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 31.3% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [8]. - The top three holdings include Woodward, Inc. (1.11% of total assets), Comfort Systems USA, Inc., and Northern Trust Corporation, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 10.12% of total assets [9]. Performance Metrics - As of August 14, 2025, SDVY has increased by approximately 6.47% year-to-date and 12.98% over the past year [11]. - The ETF has traded between $29.52 and $40.33 in the past 52 weeks and has a beta of 1.11 with a standard deviation of 21.35% over the trailing three-year period [11]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the mid-cap value space include iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE), with IWS having $13.8 billion in assets and VOE $18.65 billion [12][13]. - IWS has a lower expense ratio of 0.23%, while VOE has an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them potentially more attractive options for cost-conscious investors [13].

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) is a leading option for investors seeking exposure to the Mid Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with significant assets and low expense ratios [1][4]. Group 1: Fund Overview - The Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF was launched on August 17, 2006, and has accumulated over $18.38 billion in assets, making it the largest ETF in its category [1]. - The ETF is passively managed and aims to replicate the performance of the CRSP U.S. Mid Cap Value Index, which focuses on mid-capitalization value stocks [7]. Group 2: Investment Characteristics - Mid-cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, are perceived to have higher growth potential than large-cap companies while being less risky than small-cap firms, providing a balance of growth and stability [2]. - Value stocks, characterized by lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, have historically outperformed growth stocks in long-term performance, although growth stocks may excel in strong bull markets [3]. Group 3: Cost and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.07%, making it one of the least expensive options available, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.19% [4]. - As of July 29, 2025, the ETF has gained approximately 5.91% year-to-date and 9.57% over the past year, with a trading range between $141.87 and $176.18 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 17.40% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Utilities [5]. - The top holding, Arthur J Gallagher & Co (AJG), represents approximately 1.69% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 5.53% of total assets under management [6]. Group 5: Risk Profile - The ETF has a beta of 0.92 and a standard deviation of 15.98% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile with effective diversification across 191 holdings [8]. Group 6: Alternatives - Other ETFs in the Mid Cap Value space include the First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS), with respective assets of $8.46 billion and $13.61 billion [10].

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is a significant player in the Mid Cap Value segment of the US equity market, with over $8.30 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in this category [1]. Group 1: Mid Cap Value Characteristics - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, typically offer higher growth prospects than large cap companies while being less volatile than small cap companies, providing a stable and growth-oriented investment [2]. - Value stocks are characterized by lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, but they also exhibit lower sales and earnings growth rates compared to growth stocks. Historically, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in nearly all markets, although growth stocks tend to perform better in strong bull markets [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expenses for SDVY are 0.59%, which is relatively high compared to other ETFs in the space. The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.07% [4]. - SDVY aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers Index, which includes 100 small and mid-cap companies known for raising their dividends [7]. - As of July 22, 2025, SDVY has returned approximately 1.12% year-to-date and 3.84% over the past year, with a trading range between $29.52 and $40.33 in the last 52 weeks. The ETF has a beta of 1.09 and a standard deviation of 21.43% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification with about 185 holdings [8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Financials sector, comprising about 32.40% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Consumer Discretionary [5]. - Woodward, Inc. (WWD) represents approximately 1.11% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 10.12% of total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - SDVY holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Mid Cap Value segment [10]. - Alternatives in the market include the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) with $13.49 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.23%, and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) with $18.07 billion in assets and a lower expense ratio of 0.07% [11].