Core Insights - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) are both popular choices for investors seeking exposure to U.S. large-cap growth stocks, with VUG offering lower fees and broader diversification compared to QQQ [1][2] Cost and Size Comparison - VUG has an expense ratio of 0.04%, significantly lower than QQQ's 0.20%, which translates to $4 versus $20 in fees per $10,000 invested annually [3][8] - As of December 2025, VUG has $353 billion in assets under management (AUM), while QQQ has $403 billion [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past year, VUG returned 14.4% while QQQ returned 16.6% [3] - The maximum drawdown over five years for VUG was -35.61%, compared to -35.12% for QQQ [4] - A $1,000 investment in VUG would have grown to $1,984 over five years, while the same investment in QQQ would have grown to $2,033 [4] Holdings and Sector Allocation - QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index and holds 101 stocks, with a sector allocation of 55% technology, 17% communication services, and 13% consumer cyclical [5] - VUG holds 160 stocks with a similar sector tilt: 53% technology, 14% communication services, and 14% consumer cyclical [6] Investment Considerations - Both ETFs have a strong tilt towards technology and contain similar top holdings, but VUG's greater diversification may appeal to investors seeking reduced volatility [7][9] - The choice between VUG and QQQ largely depends on the investor's preference for diversification versus potential higher returns, as both funds have shown similar earnings over the last five years [10]

EDMONTON, Alberta, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Power Corporation (“Capital Power”) (TSX: CPX) announced today that it has notified registered shareholders of its Cumulative Rate Reset Preference Shares, Series 1 (the “Series 1 Shares”) (TSX: CPX.PR.A) of the conversion privilege and dividend rate applicable to the Series 1 Shares. Subject to certain conditions, beginning on December 1, 2025 and ending at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 16, 2025 (the “Election Period”), each registered hol ...

For years, December has behaved like the financial markets' warm cup of cocoa: smooth, comforting, and reliably sweet. But strategists warn this year's holiday season may be serving something closer to an espresso shot with a trembling hand. With volatility creeping back, and megacaps wobbling like ornaments on a thin branch, ETFs tied to defensive positioning and dispersion may become December's unlikely headliners.Volatility ETFs Take Center StageAccording to Yahoo Finance, Amy Wu Silverman, of RBC, said ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve has shifted to a more dovish stance on monetary policy, leading to increased expectations for a rate cut in December, with a 74% chance of a 25-basis-point reduction as per the CME FedWatch tool, up from 25% the previous day [1]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Officials' Comments - New York Fed President John Williams and Governor Stephen Miran have downplayed inflation concerns and highlighted a weakening labor market, suggesting that recent inflationary fears may be overstated [2]. - Williams noted that the risks to employment have increased due to a cooling labor market, while the risks of inflation have lessened, indicating potential for further adjustments to the federal funds rate [3]. - Miran expressed strong support for a 25-basis-point cut in December, citing recent job data as evidence for the need for a reduction and suggesting that much of the inflation data is outdated [5]. Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the dovish comments from Fed officials, Wall Street experienced a slight recovery, with the S&P 500 up 0.2% after a previous decline of 1.6% [6]. - The Nasdaq 100 showed signs of stabilization after a 2.2% drop, while bond and currency markets reacted modestly, with the U.S. dollar slightly lower and Treasury yields declining [7].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) are both focused on large U.S. growth companies, particularly in the technology sector, with a comparison of costs, returns, risks, and portfolio compositions to assist investors in making informed decisions [2][4]. Cost & Size - MGK has a lower expense ratio of 0.07% compared to QQQ's 0.20%, which benefits fee-conscious investors [3][4]. - As of November 17, 2025, MGK's one-year return is 21.82%, slightly outperforming QQQ's 21.09% [3]. - MGK has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $31.28 billion, while QQQ is significantly larger at $385.76 billion [3]. Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, MGK has a maximum drawdown of -36.02%, while QQQ has a drawdown of -35.12% [5]. - An investment of $1,000 would grow to $2,080 in MGK and $2,051 in QQQ over the same period, indicating MGK's marginally better performance [5]. Portfolio Composition - QQQ, launched in 1999, tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index with 101 holdings, primarily in technology (54%), communication services (17%), and consumer cyclical (13%) [6]. - MGK focuses on the 66 largest U.S. growth stocks, with similar sector allocations: 57% technology, 15% communication services, and 13% consumer cyclical [7]. - Both funds have significant overlap in top holdings, including major companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, but MGK has slightly larger allocations to each [7][8]. Liquidity & Trading - QQQ is more liquid and has a larger number of stocks compared to MGK, which may appeal to investors seeking higher trading volumes [8]. - Both ETFs provide broad exposure to U.S. mega cap growth, although MGK's smaller number of holdings may lead to more concentrated exposures [8]. Investment Focus - Both MGK and QQQ target growth stocks with a strong emphasis on technology, which can yield above-average returns during tech market rallies but may also experience steeper declines during market volatility [10].

Group 1 - The technology sector is favored by financial media, retail investors, and sell-side firms, particularly due to its association with AI and the Magnificent Seven stocks [1] - Invesco QQQ Trust is a leading tech-focused ETF with $364.41 billion in assets under management, heavily weighted towards the Magnificent Seven stocks, with NVIDIA being the largest holding at 9.95% [2] - The top 10 holdings of QQQ account for 52.2% of the portfolio, indicating a concentration risk [3] Group 2 - The Communication Services sector has shown strong performance since the S&P 500's rebalancing in September 2018, finishing in the top three sectors four times and achieving an average annual return of 16.33% [4][5] - In 2023, the Communication Services sector has a year-to-date gain of 18.60%, outperforming all other sectors [6] - The sector combines growth potential, consistent consumer demand, and defensive characteristics during market downturns [7] Group 3 - The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) has gained 127.41% since its launch in June 2018, outperforming QQQ's 91.69% increase over the same period [10] - XLC has lower assets under management at $26.14 billion but offers a lower expense ratio of 0.08% and a higher dividend yield of 0.92% compared to QQQ [11] - XLC's largest holding, Meta Platforms, has an 18.81% weighting, contributing to greater diversification and lower implied volatility of 10.9% compared to QQQ's 17.45% [12] Group 4 - XLC is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 19.40, which is considered fair in a market with high valuations, while QQQ's P/E is 33.33 [13] - XLC has seen a significant decrease in short interest, dropping from 12-14 million shares in July to 5.8 million shares, indicating a reduction in bearish sentiment [15][16] - Institutional buying has outpaced selling, with inflows of $21.59 million exceeding outflows of $2.77 billion over the past 12 months [17]

Core Viewpoint - Invesco Capital Management LLC has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC to seek consent from beneficial owners of Invesco QQQ TrustSM, Series 1 for a reclassification of QQQ from a "unit investment trust" to a "management company" with a subclassification as an "open-end company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940 [1] Group 1 - If the proposals are approved, the Bank of New York Mellon will be replaced as QQQ's Trustee by a board of individual trustees, while BNY will continue to serve as custodian, administrator, accounting agent, and transfer agent [2] - ICM will be appointed as the investment adviser to QQQ under a new investment advisory agreement, which includes a unitary fee of 18 basis points, leading to a pro-forma reduction of 2 basis points from QQQ's current expense ratio of 20 basis points [2] Group 2 - As of March 31, 2025, Invesco Ltd. managed US$1.8 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide, highlighting its significant presence in the investment management industry [3]