Core Viewpoint - The First Trust NASDAQ-100 Select Equal Weight ETF (QQEW) is a passively managed ETF aimed at providing broad exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $1.73 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in this category [1] Group 1: Large Cap Growth - Large cap companies typically have a market capitalization above $10 billion and are considered more stable with predictable cash flows, exhibiting less volatility compared to mid and small cap companies [2] - Growth stocks are characterized by faster growth rates, higher valuations, and above-average sales and earnings growth rates, although they tend to be more volatile [3] Group 2: Costs - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.55%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.43% [4] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation of approximately 50.5% to the Information Technology sector, with Healthcare and Telecom also being prominent sectors [5] - Western Digital Corporation (WDC) represents about 3.21% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings comprising approximately 26.18% of total assets under management [6] Group 4: Performance and Risk - QQEW aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, having lost about 5.29% year-to-date and gained approximately 3.83% over the past year as of February 27, 2026, with a trading range between $106.81 and $146.24 in the past 52 weeks [7] - The ETF has a beta of 1.06 and a standard deviation of 17.41% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile with effective diversification across 51 holdings [8] Group 5: Alternatives - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ) are alternative ETFs tracking similar indices, with VUG having $196.69 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.03%, while QQQ has $399.83 billion in assets and charges 0.18% [11] Group 6: Bottom-Line - Passively managed ETFs like QQEW are increasingly popular among retail and institutional investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [12]

Core Insights - The First Trust NASDAQ-100 Select Equal Weight ETF (QQEW) debuted on April 19, 2006, and provides broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Growth category of the market [1] Fund Overview - QQEW is sponsored by First Trust Advisors and has accumulated assets over $1.87 billion, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [5] - The ETF aims to match the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, which tracks the 50 companies from the Nasdaq-100 Index with the highest combined Blended Quality and Growth scores [5] Cost Structure - QQEW has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.55%, which is competitive within its peer group [6] - The ETF offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.41% [6] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 40.3% of the portfolio [7] - Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) represents about 1.4% of the fund's total assets, with its top 10 holdings accounting for roughly 12.97% of QQEW's total assets under management [8] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, QQEW has experienced a loss of about -0.8%, while it has gained approximately 12.92% over the last 12 months as of January 15, 2026 [10] - The ETF has traded between $106.81 and $146.24 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.06 and a standard deviation of 17.50% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large-cap growth space include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $202.35 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.04%, while QQQ has $407.22 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.20% [11]

Group 1: Market Performance and AI Influence - The market rally has been significantly driven by AI, with the "Magnificent Seven" outperforming the S&P 500, contributing to the gains [1] - The S&P 500 Information Technology Index has increased by 24.80% year to date, compared to the broader S&P 500's 16.6% gain [1] - As of November 21, 2025, the Magnificent Seven reported a 28.3% year-over-year increase in third-quarter earnings, with revenues up by 18.1%, while 94.8% of S&P 500 companies reported 15.6% earnings growth on 8.3% higher revenues [4] Group 2: Valuation Concerns and Market Volatility - There is a growing debate on Wall Street regarding stretched valuations and fears of an AI bubble, prompting investors to reconsider their exposure [2] - BlackRock anticipates that AI will remain a dominant market force through 2026, but warns that increased speculative trading and rising leverage could lead to volatility [2][3] - AI-linked investments may yield strong returns, but concerns over valuations and the sector's outlook could result in heightened volatility [3] Group 3: Diversification Strategies - Diversification is crucial when investing in AI to mitigate risks associated with concentrated rallies in select names [5][6] - A diversified investment approach allows investors to benefit from the AI rally while reducing vulnerability to market shocks [7] - Investing in a well-diversified portfolio is recommended as a reliable strategy to tap into AI's potential without incurring unnecessary risks [8] Group 4: Recommended ETFs for Diversification - Suggested ETFs for diversified tech exposure include Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RSPT) and State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (XNTK) [10] - S&P 500 ETFs provide broad exposure to the tech sector, with approximately 35% of the index allocated to information technology, featuring major companies like NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft [11][12] - Additional ETFs to consider for increased tech exposure include Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), which allocates about 65.05% to technology [12]

Core Insights - The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) is a large-cap growth ETF with over $43.33 billion in assets, making it one of the largest in its category [1] - Large cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations above $10 billion, are considered more stable and less volatile compared to mid and small cap companies [2] - Growth stocks, while having higher sales and earnings growth rates, come with higher valuations and risks compared to value stocks [3] Costs - SPYG has an annual operating expense of 0.04%, making it one of the least expensive ETFs in the market [4] - The ETF offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.55% [4] Sector Exposure and Top Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation of approximately 43% to the Information Technology sector, followed by Telecom and Consumer Discretionary [5] - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) constitutes about 14.9% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings making up around 55.13% of total assets [6] Performance and Risk - SPYG aims to match the performance of the S&P 500 Growth Index and has gained about 17.17% year-to-date and approximately 19.54% over the past year [7] - The ETF has a beta of 1.11 and a standard deviation of 18.63% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [8] Alternatives - SPYG holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for investors seeking large cap growth exposure [10] - Other alternatives include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $193.69 billion in assets and QQQ at $386.22 billion [11] Bottom-Line - Passively managed ETFs like SPYG are gaining popularity due to their low cost, transparency, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investors [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Nasdaq 100 Index and its associated ETFs, such as Invesco QQQ (QQQ) and JPMorgan NASDAQ Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ), are experiencing pressure as investors remain concerned about market conditions [1] Group 1 - The Nasdaq 100 Index has faced recent declines, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [1] - Associated ETFs like QQQ and JEPQ are also under pressure, reflecting broader market trends [1] - Investor concerns are primarily driven by macroeconomic factors affecting market stability [1]

Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) is a passively managed ETF launched on September 9, 2010, with over $20.05 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market [1] Group 1: Large Cap Growth Overview - Large cap companies typically have a market capitalization above $10 billion, offering a stable investment option with less risk and more reliable cash flows compared to mid and small cap companies [2] - Growth stocks are characterized by higher than average sales and earnings growth rates, but they also come with higher valuations and associated risks [3] Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.07%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.49% [4] - VOOG aims to match the performance of the S&P 500 Growth Index and has gained approximately 17.4% year-to-date and about 30.01% over the past year, with a trading range between $299.15 and $428.71 in the last 52 weeks [7] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 42.1% of the portfolio, followed by Telecom and Consumer Discretionary [5] - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) represents approximately 14.89% of total assets, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Meta Platforms Inc (META) also among the top holdings; the top 10 holdings account for about 41.77% of total assets [6] Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - VOOG has a beta of 1.11 and a standard deviation of 20.13% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium risk investment with 217 holdings to diversify company-specific risk [8] - The ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential based on expected returns, expense ratio, and momentum; alternatives include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ) [9][10] Group 5: Market Trends - Passively managed ETFs are gaining popularity among both institutional and retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [11]

Core Insights - The First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX ETF (FTC) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Growth category and utilizes a smart beta strategy [1][5] - The ETF has amassed assets over $1.22 billion and seeks to match the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index [5] - FTC has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.34% and an annual expense ratio of 0.58% [6] Fund Characteristics - FTC employs the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology, which selects stocks based on fundamental characteristics rather than market capitalization [5] - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Information Technology sector, accounting for approximately 23.2% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Financials [7] - The top 10 holdings represent about 10.66% of FTC's total assets, with Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) being the largest individual holding at 1.2% [8] Performance Metrics - As of September 2, 2025, FTC has returned approximately 13.46% year-to-date and 23.5% over the past year [10] - The fund has traded between $116.97 and $158.18 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.11 and a standard deviation of 18.39% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large-cap growth space include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having an expense ratio of 0.04% and QQQ at 0.20% [11] - Investors seeking lower-cost options may consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Style Box - Large Cap Growth [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) is a significant player in the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with over $28.92 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in this category [1] Group 1: ETF Overview - MGK is a passively managed ETF launched on December 17, 2007, sponsored by Vanguard [1] - The ETF aims to provide broad exposure to large cap growth companies, which typically have market capitalizations above $10 billion [2] Group 2: Growth Stock Characteristics - Growth stocks, which MGK primarily invests in, exhibit faster growth rates, higher valuations, and above-average sales and earnings growth compared to the broader market [3] - While growth stocks can outperform value stocks in strong bull markets, value stocks historically deliver better returns across various market conditions [3] Group 3: Cost Structure - MGK has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.07%, positioning it as one of the least expensive ETFs in its category [4] - The ETF offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.41% [4] Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 56.5% of the portfolio, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Telecom [5] - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) is the largest holding, accounting for about 14.47% of total assets, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Apple Inc (AAPL) also among the top holdings [6] Group 5: Performance Metrics - MGK seeks to match the performance of the CRSP U.S. Mega Cap Growth Index, which measures the performance of mega-cap growth stocks [7] - The ETF has gained approximately 12.02% year-to-date and 23.77% over the past year, with a trading range between $273.67 and $389.51 in the last 52 weeks [7] Group 6: Risk Assessment - MGK has a beta of 1.19 and a standard deviation of 21.85% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [8] - The ETF holds about 71 different stocks, effectively diversifying company-specific risk [8] Group 7: Alternatives - Other ETFs in the same space include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $184.82 billion in assets and QQQ at $365.36 billion [11] - VUG has an expense ratio of 0.04%, while QQQ charges 0.2% [11] Group 8: 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 Insights - The First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) is designed to provide broad exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market and has amassed over $1.23 billion in assets since its launch on October 25, 2022 [1] Group 1: Large Cap Growth Overview - Large cap companies typically have a market capitalization above $10 billion, offering a stable investment option with less risk and more reliable cash flows compared to mid and small cap companies [2] - Growth stocks are characterized by higher sales and earnings growth rates, but they also come with higher valuations and risks compared to other equity types [3] Group 2: Costs and Performance - The FTGS ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.6%, which is considered relatively high, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.33% [4] - The ETF has gained approximately 12.13% year-to-date and 14.89% over the past year, with a trading range between $26.62 and $35.51 in the last 52 weeks [7] Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising about 30.6% of the portfolio, followed by Industrials and Financials [5] - Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) represents about 2.91% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 24.93% of total assets under management [6] Group 4: Risk and Alternatives - FTGS has a beta of 1.13 and a standard deviation of 17.78% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification of company-specific risk with about 51 holdings [8] - Alternatives to FTGS include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), which have significantly larger asset bases and lower expense ratios [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF (GGUS) is a newly launched passively managed ETF aimed at providing broad exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $295.45 million [1]. Group 1: Large Cap Growth Characteristics - Large cap companies typically have market capitalizations above $10 billion, characterized by stability and predictable cash flows, resulting in lower volatility compared to mid and small cap companies [2]. - Growth stocks are associated with higher sales and earnings growth rates, expected to outperform the market, but they come with higher valuations and risks [3]. Group 2: Cost Structure - GGUS has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.12%, making it one of the least expensive ETFs in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.51% [4]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Information Technology sector, comprising approximately 46.8% of the portfolio, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Telecom [5]. - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) is the largest holding at about 11.61% of total assets, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) and Apple Inc (AAPL) also among the top holdings; the top 10 holdings represent around 50% of total assets [6]. Group 4: Performance Metrics - GGUS aims to match the performance of the Russell 1000 Growth 40 Act Daily Capped Index, with a year-to-date return of approximately 10.95% and a one-year return of about 22.37% as of August 25, 2025 [7]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.16 and a standard deviation of 19.91% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification with around 380 holdings [8]. Group 5: Alternatives and Market Position - GGUS holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential based on expected returns, expense ratio, and momentum, making it a favorable option for investors in the Large Cap Growth segment [10]. - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $184.39 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.04%, while QQQ has $369.27 billion in assets with a 0.2% expense ratio [11]. Group 6: Investment Appeal - Passively managed ETFs like GGUS are increasingly popular among retail and institutional investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [12].