Core Viewpoint - VanEck is launching two new funds that focus on companies with positive analyst sentiment, aiming to leverage expert opinions to enhance investment performance [2][4] Group 1: Fund Strategy - The VanEck MSCI EAFE Analyst Sentiment ETF and the VanEck MSCI EM Analyst Sentiment ETF will allocate approximately 80% of their investments to companies with favorable forward estimates for cash flow, earnings per share, price targets, and sales, as well as upgrades in analyst recommendations [2] - These funds will track the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East index and the MSCI Emerging Markets index, respectively [2] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment Impact - Analyst research significantly influences investor perceptions of corporate performance, earnings prospects, and valuation, with stocks that have the highest analyst sentiment scores historically outperforming those with the lowest scores over extended periods [4] - The new funds represent a systematic approach to investing based solely on positive analyst sentiment, a strategy not previously seen in ETFs [3] Group 3: Historical Context and Concerns - The launch of these funds builds on VanEck's previous sentiment-based investing strategy, exemplified by the Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ), which has seen a year-to-date increase of over 35% [5] - There are concerns regarding the integrity of analyst estimates following the SEC's recent termination of a rule that previously restricted communication between analysts and bankers, which some believe could weaken investor protections [6]