Core Insights - The Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) offers broad exposure to the Materials - Broad segment of the equity market, appealing to both retail and institutional investors due to its low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency [1][2]. Fund Overview - XLB is a passively managed ETF launched on December 16, 1998, and is sponsored by State Street Investment Management, with assets exceeding $5.26 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in its category [3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Materials Select Sector Index, which represents the materials sector of the S&P 500 Index [3]. Cost Structure - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.08%, making it the least expensive option in its space, and it offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.93% [4]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - XLB provides nearly 100% allocation in the Materials sector, minimizing single stock risk through diversified exposure [5]. - The top holding, Linde Plc (LIN), constitutes approximately 15.91% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 58.8% of total assets under management [6]. Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, XLB has gained about 6.01%, and it is up approximately 1.61% over the last 12 months as of August 11, 2025. The ETF has traded between $74.27 and $97.63 in the past 52 weeks [7]. - With a beta of 1.00 and a standard deviation of 18.68% over the trailing three-year period, XLB is categorized as a medium-risk investment [7]. Alternatives - XLB carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Materials ETFs area of the market [8]. - Other alternatives include the SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR) and the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR), with GNR having $3.26 billion in assets and GUNR $4.86 billion [10].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) provides broad exposure to the Materials - Broad segment of the equity market and is passively managed, launched on January 26, 2004 [1] - The ETF has amassed over $2.64 billion in assets, making it one of the largest in its category, and aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index [3] - VAW has an annual operating expense of 0.09% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.73%, positioning it as a cost-effective investment option [4] Sector Exposure and Holdings - VAW is fully allocated to the Materials sector, with Linde Plc (LIN) making up approximately 16.93% of total assets, followed by Sherwin-Williams Co (SHW) and Ecolab Inc (ECL) [5] - The top 10 holdings constitute about 51.43% of total assets under management [6] Performance Metrics - As of August 4, 2025, VAW has returned roughly 3.74% year-to-date but is down about 2.7% over the past year, with a trading range between $163.82 and $215.21 in the last 52 weeks [7] - The ETF has a beta of 1.04 and a standard deviation of 19.18% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [7] Alternatives - VAW holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Materials sector [8] - Other alternatives include the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), with GUNR having $4.74 billion in assets and XLB at $5.21 billion [9]

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF (FXZ) is a smart beta ETF designed to provide broad exposure to the Materials sector, aiming to outperform traditional passive indices through a unique stock selection methodology [1][5][6]. Fund Overview - FXZ was launched on May 8, 2007, and has accumulated assets exceeding $215.12 million, categorizing it as an average-sized ETF within the Materials sector [1][5]. - The fund is managed by First Trust Advisors and seeks to match the performance of the StrataQuant Materials Index, which employs the AlphaDEX screening methodology to identify stocks with potential for positive alpha [5][6]. Cost and Expenses - The annual operating expenses for FXZ are 0.61%, which is competitive with similar products in the market [7]. - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.83% [7]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - FXZ has a significant allocation to the Materials sector, comprising 83.9% of the portfolio, with Industrials and Energy as the next largest sectors [8]. - The top holding, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN), represents approximately 4.84% of the fund's total assets, while the top 10 holdings account for about 44.65% of FXZ's total assets under management [9]. Performance Metrics - As of July 31, 2025, FXZ has gained approximately 3.53% year-to-date but is down about 10.41% over the past year [11]. - The fund has traded between $46.76 and $67.64 in the last 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.12 and a standard deviation of 23.42% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [11]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the Materials sector include the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), which have significantly larger asset bases of $4.77 billion and $5.29 billion, respectively [13]. - GUNR has a lower expense ratio of 0.46%, while XLB has a minimal change of 0.08% [13].

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF (FXZ) is a passively managed ETF that provides broad exposure to the Materials - Broad segment of the equity market, appealing to both institutional and retail investors due to its low costs and tax efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - Launched on May 8, 2007, FXZ has accumulated over $221.67 million in assets, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in its category [3]. - FXZ aims to match the performance of the StrataQuant Materials Index, which uses a modified equal-dollar weighted methodology to select stocks from the Russell 1000 Index [4]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.61% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.78%, making it competitive with peer products [5]. - As of July 30, 2025, FXZ has gained approximately 6.47% year-to-date but is down about 8% over the past year, with a trading range between $46.76 and $67.64 [8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - FXZ has a significant allocation in the Materials sector, comprising about 84% of the portfolio, with Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) being the largest holding at approximately 4.84% of total assets [6][7]. - The top 10 holdings represent about 44.65% of total assets under management, indicating a concentrated exposure compared to peers [7][8]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - FXZ carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Materials sector [9]. - Other alternatives include the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), which have significantly larger asset bases of $4.86 billion and $5.38 billion, respectively [10].

Core Insights - The Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF (FMAT) is a passively managed ETF launched on October 21, 2013, providing broad exposure to the Materials - Broad segment of the equity market [1] - The ETF is designed for long-term investors and is favored for its low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency [1] Fund Overview - FMAT has accumulated assets exceeding $428.53 million, categorizing it as an average-sized ETF [3] - The ETF aims to replicate the performance of the MSCI USA IMI Materials Index, which reflects the materials sector in the U.S. equity market [3] Cost Structure - The annual operating expense ratio for FMAT is 0.08%, making it the least expensive option in its category [4] - The ETF offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.66% [4] Holdings and Diversification - Linde Plc Common Stock (LIN) constitutes approximately 16.27% of total assets, with Sherwin Williams Co (SHW) and Ecolab Inc (ECL) following [5] - The top 10 holdings represent about 55.71% of total assets under management [6] Performance Metrics - FMAT has experienced an 8.1% gain year-to-date and a 1.64% increase over the past year as of July 29, 2025 [7] - The ETF has traded between $42.02 and $55.17 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.05 and a standard deviation of 19.16% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [7] Alternatives - FMAT holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Materials ETFs sector [8] - Other alternatives include the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), with GUNR having $4.83 billion in assets and XLB at $5.38 billion [10]

Group 1 - The article provides a top-down analysis of the materials sector, focusing on metrics related to value, quality, and momentum [1] - It aims to assist in analyzing sector ETFs, specifically the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) [1] - The author, Fred Piard, has over 30 years of experience in technology and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010 [1] Group 2 - Fred Piard runs the investing group Quantitative Risk & Value, where he shares a portfolio of quality dividend stocks and innovative tech companies [1] - He also provides market risk indicators, real estate strategies, bond strategies, and income strategies in closed-end funds [1]