The U.S. stock market continues to rally significantly, sending major indices to new highs as semiconductor and tech stocks dominate the headlines, largely driven by the booming growth of artificial intelligence (AI). However, beneath this euphoria, a growing chorus of analysts and economists fears that this rally is more likely a high-stakes speculative bubble and a market correction might occur soon. This might turn the attention of investors toward Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), especially defensive secto ...

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX ETF (FXH) is a smart beta ETF designed to provide broad exposure to the Health Care sector, with a focus on stock selection based on fundamental characteristics [1][5]. Fund Overview - FXH was launched on May 8, 2007, and has accumulated over $868.7 million in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Health Care category [1][5]. - The fund is managed by First Trust Advisors and aims to match the performance of the StrataQuant Health Care Index, which utilizes the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology [5]. Cost and Expenses - FXH has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.60%, which is comparable to most peer products in the space [6]. - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.33% [6]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - FXH is fully allocated to the Health Care sector, with approximately 100% of its portfolio dedicated to this area [7]. - The top holding, Biogen Inc. (BIIB), constitutes about 2.36% of the fund's total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 23.06% of total assets under management [8]. Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, FXH has experienced a loss of about -0.94%, and it is down approximately -4.34% over the last 12 months as of August 13, 2025 [10]. - The ETF has traded between $93.63 and $113.83 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 0.73 and a standard deviation of 15.85% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [10]. Alternatives - While FXH is a viable option for investors looking to outperform the Health Care ETFs segment, there are alternative ETFs such as the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) that investors may consider [11][12]. - VHT has $14.81 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.09%, while XLV has $31.99 billion in assets with an expense ratio of 0.08% [12].

Core Insights - The iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) is a passively managed ETF launched on June 12, 2000, designed to provide broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market [1] - The ETF has accumulated over $2.74 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [3] - The fund has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.39% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.38% [4] Fund Details - IYH aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index before fees and expenses [3] - The ETF has a beta of 0.63 and a standard deviation of 14.2% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [7] - The ETF's top holdings include Eli Lilly (12.28%), Johnson & Johnson, and Abbvie Inc, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 53.42% of total assets [5][6] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, IYH has lost about 4.51% and is down approximately 11.01% over the last 12 months as of August 13, 2025 [7] - The ETF has traded between $53.97 and $66.38 in the past 52 weeks [7] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the healthcare sector include Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) with $14.81 billion in assets and Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) with $31.99 billion in assets [9] - VHT has an expense ratio of 0.09% and XLV charges 0.08% [9] Investment Considerations - IYH carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a reasonable option for investors seeking exposure to the healthcare sector [8]

Core Insights - The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF (RSPH) aims to provide broad exposure to the health care sector through an equal-weighted strategy, launched on November 1, 2006 [1] Fund Overview - RSPH is sponsored by Invesco and has accumulated assets exceeding $688.49 million, positioning it as one of the larger ETFs in the health care category [5] - The ETF seeks to match the performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care Index, which equally weights stocks in the health care sector of the S&P 500 [5] Cost Structure - RSPH has annual operating expenses of 0.40%, making it one of the more affordable options in the ETF space [6] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.79% [6] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF is fully allocated to the health care sector, with approximately 100% of its portfolio dedicated to this area [7] - Key holdings include Moderna Inc (MRNA) at about 1.82% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings comprising around 17.56% of total assets under management [8] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, RSPH has experienced a loss of approximately -3.38%, and over the past year, it is down about -7.84% as of August 12, 2025 [9] - The fund has traded between $26.81 and $32.53 in the past 52 weeks [9] - RSPH has a beta of 0.82 and a standard deviation of 15.82% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification of company-specific risk with around 62 holdings [10] Alternatives in the Market - Other ETFs in the health care sector include the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) with $14.74 billion in assets and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) with $32.11 billion [12] - VHT has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while XLV charges 0.08%, presenting lower-cost alternatives for investors [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is a passively managed ETF that provides broad exposure to the healthcare sector, appealing to both retail and institutional investors due to its low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency [1][3]. Fund Overview - VHT was launched on January 26, 2004, and has accumulated over $14.94 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the healthcare sector [3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, which includes stocks of U.S. companies in the healthcare sector [3]. Cost Structure - The annual operating expenses for VHT are 0.09%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the market [4]. - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.65% [4]. Sector Exposure and Holdings - VHT offers nearly 100% allocation in the healthcare sector, with Eli Lilly & Co (LLY) making up approximately 11.05% of total assets, followed by UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH) and AbbVie Inc (ABBV) [5]. Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, VHT has experienced a loss of about 4.02%, and it is down approximately 9.09% over the last 12 months as of August 7, 2025 [6]. - The ETF has traded between $236.71 and $288.1 in the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 0.65 and a standard deviation of 14.28% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [6]. Investment Alternatives - VHT holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, making it a strong option for investors seeking healthcare sector exposure [7]. - Other alternatives include the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), with IXJ having $3.63 billion in assets and XLV having $32.12 billion [8][9].

Core Insights - U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by only 73,000 in July 2025, significantly below the expected 110,000, indicating a slowdown in the labor market [1] - Job growth in the healthcare sector was robust, adding 55,000 positions, primarily in ambulatory health care services and hospitals [2][4] - Most other major sectors showed little change in employment levels, suggesting a lack of broad-based job growth [3] Sector in Focus - The healthcare sector's job growth in July exceeded the average monthly gain of 42,000 over the previous year, highlighting its strength in the current labor market [4] - Ambulatory health care services contributed the most to job gains within healthcare, adding 34,000 positions, followed by hospitals with 16,000 [4] ETFs in Focus - Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) offers exposure to the healthcare sector, with significant allocations to pharmaceuticals and healthcare providers, and holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) focuses on healthcare providers and services, charging 40 bps in fees, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [6] - Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care Index, charges 9 bps in fees, and also holds a Zacks Rank 1 [7] Stocks in Focus - HCA Healthcare (HCA), the largest non-governmental operator of acute care hospitals in the U.S., has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.02% on average and holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [8] - Welltower (WELL), a REIT focused on senior housing and health systems, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.22% on average and also holds a Zacks Rank 3 [9] - Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI), a self-administered REIT investing in long-term care facilities, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.07% on average and holds a Zacks Rank 3 [10]

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX ETF (FXH) is a passively managed ETF that provides broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market, appealing to both institutional and retail investors due to its low cost and tax efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Overview - FXH was launched on May 8, 2007, and has accumulated over $857.74 million in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the StrataQuant Health Care Index, utilizing the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology to choose stocks from the Russell 1000 Index [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - FXH has annual operating expenses of 0.6% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.34%, which is competitive within its peer group [4]. - The ETF has experienced a loss of approximately 3.39% year-to-date and about 8.07% over the past year, with a trading range between $93.63 and $113.828 in the last 52 weeks [7]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF is fully allocated to the Healthcare sector, with Biogen Inc. (BIIB) representing about 2.36% of total assets, and the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 23.06% of total assets under management [5][6]. Group 4: Alternatives and Comparisons - FXH carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a reasonable option for investors seeking exposure to healthcare ETFs [8]. - Other alternatives include the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) with $15.18 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.09%, and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) with $33.05 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.08% [9].

Core Insights - The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF (RSPH) is a passively managed ETF launched on November 1, 2006, providing broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market [1] - The Healthcare - Broad sector is ranked 8th among the 16 Zacks sectors, placing it in the top 50% [2] Fund Overview - Sponsored by Invesco, RSPH has over $717.51 million in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Healthcare - Broad segment [3] - The ETF aims to match the performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care Index, which equally weights stocks in the healthcare sector of the S&P 500 Index [3] Cost Structure - RSPH has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.40%, positioning it as one of the cheaper options in the ETF space [4] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.76% [4] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF is fully allocated to the Healthcare sector, with approximately 100% of its portfolio dedicated to this area [5] - Moderna Inc (MRNA) constitutes about 1.82% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 17.56% of total assets under management [6] Performance Metrics - As of July 24, 2025, RSPH has gained about 0.04% year-to-date but is down approximately -4.35% over the past year [7] - The ETF has traded between $26.81 and $32.53 in the last 52 weeks, with a beta of 0.83 and a standard deviation of 15.65% over the trailing three-year period [7] Alternatives - RSPH carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Health Care ETFs market [8] - Other alternatives include the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), with VHT having $15.51 billion in assets and XLV having $33.63 billion [9]