Investment Strategy & Market Analysis - Free cash flow is considered a crucial valuation metric, favored by investors like Warren Buffett for identifying companies generating more cash than needed for operations [2] - Traditional value investing relying on price-to-book ratios is becoming less relevant as intangible assets now constitute approximately 80-85% of assets in S&P 500 companies [4] - A portfolio based on free cash flow yield outperformed a portfolio based on value factor (determined by price-to-book) between 2000 and June 2024, returning over double the amount [5] ETF Performance & Characteristics - Pacer US Cash Cows ETF (COWZ) selects 100 companies from the Russell 1000 index with the highest free cash flow yield, currently holding approximately $21 billion in assets [7] - VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) has gathered over $26 billion in assets year-to-date, totaling $44 billion, due to its consideration of both trailing and forward-looking free cash flow [9] - Invesco NASDAQ Free Cash Flow Achievers ETF (QZ) focuses on technology companies with positive free cash flow in each of the trailing 11 years and year-over-year growth [11] - Invesco product (QZ) has shown the best performance, returning about 19% over the past year, likely due to its focus on technology stocks [15] ETF Methodologies & Holdings - Pacer's COWZ ETF portfolio is heavily weighted in healthcare (20%) and energy (19%), with top holdings including Ford, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron [9] - VictoryShares' VFLO ETF portfolio is heavily weighted in consumer discretionary, with top holdings including Qualcomm, Mercar, and United Health [11] - Invesco's QZ ETF portfolio includes top holdings like Nvidia, Meta, and Broadcom, reflecting its focus on technology companies [12]

I'm sure most readers don't need me or anyone else to tell them stocks are strong. Technology is back as one of the strongest sectors, and the Nasdaq 100 ( QQQ ) is trading comfortablyMy approach is long-term and I focus on investing in macro ideas through low risk ETFs and CEFs. I have traded stocks and currencies for nearly ten years and currently run a family fund with my partner and fellow SA contributor Andrew McElroy. I also invest in real estate and am a freelance writer and contributor to Matrixtrad ...

Core Viewpoint - The Defiance Nasdaq 100 Target 30 Income ETF (NASDAQ: QQQY) is described as a disaster due to significant price erosion leading to a 1-for-3 reverse stock split within less than a year of its launch [1]. Group 1 - The ETF was launched in September 2023 and faced steady price erosion by August 2024 [1]. - The reverse stock split indicates a drastic measure taken to manage the declining price of the ETF [1]. - The author emphasizes a long-term investment approach focusing on macro ideas through low-risk ETFs and CEFs [1].

Core Viewpoint - The AI industry is expected to be the primary driver of technology growth in the upcoming years, with the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) positioned to capitalize on this trend [1]. Group 1: Industry Insights - The AI sector is anticipated to lead technological advancements and growth, indicating a significant investment opportunity for stakeholders [1]. Group 2: Company Positioning - The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) is strategically positioned to benefit from the growth of the AI industry, suggesting a focus on investments in this area [1].

Group 1 - The iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF was launched by BlackRock in early 2007, indicating its established presence in the market [1] - The fund's objective is to provide investors with exposure to short-term U.S. Treasury bonds [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific performance metrics or future projections for the ETF [2]

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust NASDAQ Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is a passively managed ETF that provides broad exposure to the Technology - Semiconductors segment, appealing to both retail and institutional investors due to its low costs and tax efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - FTXL was launched on September 20, 2016, and has accumulated over $291.81 million in assets, positioning it as an average-sized ETF in the semiconductor sector [3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the Nasdaq US Smart Semiconductor Index, which focuses on US companies in the semiconductor industry [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expense ratio for FTXL is 0.60%, which is competitive within its peer group, and it has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.44% [4]. - Year-to-date, FTXL has increased by approximately 13.13%, but it has decreased by about -5.61% over the past year, with a trading range between $62.37 and $106.78 during the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - FTXL has a 100% allocation in the Information Technology sector, with Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) making up about 9.19% of total assets, followed by Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) and Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) [5][6]. - The top 10 holdings constitute approximately 62.83% of the total assets under management [6]. Group 4: Alternatives and Rankings - FTXL holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating favorable expected returns and momentum [8]. - Other ETFs in the semiconductor space include the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), with assets of $13.63 billion and $27.58 billion respectively, both having an expense ratio of 0.35% [9].

Company Overview - Invictus Origin is a high-alpha investment management firm founded by Oliver Rodzianko in May 2025, aiming to become a globally recognized actively managed fund [1] - The firm is developing innovative portfolio strategies, particularly through its Nasdaq High-Alpha Black Swan Portfolio, designed to sustainably outperform the Nasdaq-100 [1] Investment Strategy - The Nasdaq High-Alpha Black Swan Portfolio maintains approximately 20% in strategic cash reserves, providing downside protection and flexibility during market disruptions [1] - Oliver Rodzianko emphasizes a disciplined investment approach focusing on fundamental valuation, long-term market cycles, and sector expertise in technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and energy [1] Analyst Expertise - Oliver Rodzianko has a strong reputation as an investment analyst, having contributed to platforms like Seeking Alpha, TipRanks, and GuruFocus, providing actionable insights to sophisticated investors [1] - The investment process integrates U.S. market specialization with comprehensive international market awareness, aiming for durable outperformance by navigating market dislocations and intrinsic value cycles [1] Firm Characteristics - As CEO, Oliver Rodzianko aims to establish Invictus Origin as a firm characterized by resilience, performance, and disciplined capital stewardship [1] - The firm is also developing a complementary family office structure focused on lower-volatility capital preservation [1]

Interest Rate Impact - Cost of goods will increase due to interest rate changes [1] - The dollar's purchasing power will decrease significantly [1] - Lower interest rates make buying a house, buying a car, refinancing debt, and credit card interest more affordable for those with capital [1] Investment Strategies - Individuals with the ability to save capital should consider two strategies [1] - Strategy 1: Accumulate as much capital as possible in "safe" ETFs like S&P, Nasdaq, or money market funds until rates are below 3%, then buy a house [2] - Strategy 2: Invest aggressively in assets like individual shares, crypto, and luxury collectibles, as their value is expected to increase parabolically with significantly lower rates [2]

Oliver Rodzianko is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Invictus Origin, a pioneering high-alpha investment management firm launched in May 2025, dedicated to becoming a globally recognized, actively managed fund. Invictus Origin is developing innovative portfolio strategies, notably through its flagship Nasdaq High-Alpha Black Swan Portfolio, strategically designed to sustainably outperform the Nasdaq-100. Distinctively, this portfolio maintains approximately 20% in strategic cash reserves, providin ...

Core Insights - Nasdaq achieved a record trading volume of 2,506,428,416 shares, amounting to $102.455 billion, during the Russell Reconstitution, marking the largest liquidity event in its history [2][3] - The Nasdaq Closing Cross has significantly improved its efficiency, reducing latency by over 85% while managing a trade volume growth of over 550% and a notional volume growth of over 1500% since its inception [6] Nasdaq's Role and Technology - The Nasdaq Closing Cross plays a vital role in capital markets infrastructure, facilitating transparent price formation and processing trades during high-volume events [3] - Nasdaq has invested in market modernization and capacity enhancement to maintain liquidity and resilience in response to increasing trading volumes [6][7] Russell US Indexes - The Russell US Indexes, which are subsets of the Russell 3000E™ Index, represent approximately 98% of the US equity market and are crucial for investors tracking market performance [4] - Approximately $10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked to or invested in products based on the Russell US Indexes, highlighting their significance in the investment community [4] Market Impact - The Russell Reconstitution day is a highly anticipated trading event, prompting asset managers to adjust their portfolios according to the newly reconstituted indexes [5] - The successful completion of this year's rebalancing reflects the investment community's trust in the transparent and rules-based process of the Russell US Indexes [3][5] Future Developments - Nasdaq recently launched Eqlipse, a fourth-generation marketplace technology platform, to enhance trading infrastructure and support global capital markets [7][8] - The company aims to deepen strategic technology partnerships with over 135 clients worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to improving liquidity and market integrity [8]