VettaFi

Are we going to have a recession? Are we already in a recession?

After market expectations spiked to nearly five interest rate cuts in 2024 based on disappointing labor market report early in the month, reassuring data in the form of Retail Sales and Unemployment Claims have quelled market Markets have eased expectations for interest rate cuts, pricing closer to four cuts as of the end of last week.

Before the pandemic hit in 2020, a decade-long bull run in the stock market saw the 60/40 portfolio slowly fall out of favor. With market volatility returning, that 60/40 split appears to be making a comeback.

It’s widely expected that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month, perhaps by as much as 50 basis points. That would potentially provide a much needed positive jolt to bonds and fixed income ETFs.

Economic indicators provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy. They are essential tools for policymakers, advisors, investors, and businesses because they allow them to make informed decisions regarding business strategies and financial markets. In the week ending on August 15th, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) rose 0.14% while the Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight ETF (RSP) was up 2.45%.

The BlackRock Flexible Income ETF (BINC) launched less than 15 months ago and is already approaching $4 billion in AUM.

With the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) lower, it might not yet be safe for investors to rush back to mega-cap growth stocks.

It's a good time to revisit which equity market sectors are defensive themes. Certain products are nondiscretionary we can't live without.

There’s no denying that consumers are digging around for more deals and prioritizing essentials over discretionary items.

The KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF (KCSH) offers low risk income investing with notable yields and diversification.

It's an ideal time to add bonds, especially if they are poised to outperform stocks over the next 10 years.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

Actively managed ETFs continued to gain traction in July with $24 billion of net inflows. This represented 19% of the industry’s net inflows.

Investors can still extract yield while adding core bond exposure with the NEOS Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF (BNDI).

During volatile markets, investors may flock to safe haven sectors like utilities that can weather a recession.

High interest rates – the condition investors have had to contend with for over two years now – can be a drag on dividend stocks and ETFs.

For bond investors looking to the near- and longer-term, Matt Eagan stepped through considerations and opportunities in the global market.

Friday’s jobs report has put a damper on economic sentiment for the moment. But much hype has been made about the so-called “Great Rotation.”

A recent mid-year strategist pulse check from Natixis revealed where strategists believe the top opportunities exist across markets.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

Advisors and investors that want to try to outperform can still gain some diversification benefits using concentrated ETFs.

Some investors who had previously expressed devotion to the largest digital currency propelled it higher last month.

ETFs had a big July, with some leading strategies lifting their YTD inflow totals behind strong July numbers.

With tech stocks making up a substantial portion of broad market indexes, investors may wonder what will happen when the tech rally ends.

In mid-July, VettaFi's webcast asked what advisors were concerned about. “Market valuation” topped the list of choices with 56%.

Investors will want to see valuations justified by robust fundamentals during big tech earnings reports this week.

Options strategies remain a popular choice with advisors and investors for the benefits they bring to portfolios.

As gold prices continue to rise, investors may want to consider gold miners, which are offering incredible value.

Macro drivers mixed with market narratives last week to sustain the volatility cocktail being served in July

The price of ether fell in the wake of the launch of the spot ether ETFs on Tuesday, July 23. Ether (ETH) declined 7.82% in its first three days of spot ether ETF trading.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

In June, Capital Group added seven new actively managed products. Its executives were in New York last week to ring the NYSE closing bell.

The equities market could see small-caps outrunning their large-cap peers as more investors are shifting to small-cap stocks.

Increasing the tax efficiency of a retiree’s income portfolio with the NEOS ETF suite may offer several benefits.

Despite all the hoopla surrounding technology stocks in the first half of the year, software names struggled.

The ongoing global electrification is spurring a demand for copper, but supply shortages could portend higher prices in the future.

This symposium brings the brightest minds in the ETF and mutual fund industry together for panel discussions spanning nine critical fixed income topics.​

Host Nate Geraci sat down with VettaFi's Lara Crigger and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan to discuss small-cap stocks and spot ether ETFs.

When looking to pair yield and credit quality, corporate bonds are an ideal option, especially when it comes to investment-grade.

Real estate stocks have taken a hefty beating this year, with REITs having the sole distinction of being the lone S&P 500 group in the red.

Experts from the third-largest ETF manager by AUM make their predictions regarding active, retail, and inheritances.

Efforts to plant more wheat have been stifled, which could potentially upset global markets, thereby pushing prices higher.

VettaFi discusses the impact of hurricanes on energy companies — upstream, midstream, and downstream.

The incorporation of artificial intelligence in the crypto space could push AI-focused exchange-traded funds even higher.

In this article, we look at three indicators from the past week: retail sales, industrial production, and the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI). At first, these indicators might seem unrelated. However, they all have a role in predicting economic trends.

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) provided insight into natural gas demand and growth opportunities during the firm’s second-quarter earnings call.

Looking for a rate-sensitive ETF for rate cuts? This strategy is performing well over the last several periods per YCharts even before cuts.

A Structured Protection ETF like CPRJ can offer robust tax benefits for investors seeking to move cash or get exposure to small-cap equities.

Issuance of green bonds surged in the first half of 2024. That could put more eyeballs on the VanEck Green Bond ETF (GRNB).

Some previously high-flying chip stocks have retreated much more than 5% since the start of the third quarter.

Investors could be shifting to safer debt, which could outperform once the Federal Reserve starts cutting interest rates.

A transition to alternative energy is helping to fuel a 4th industrial revolution. In turn, this will increase critical minerals demand.

There has long been talk of a new wave of biotech mergers and acquisitions activity coming to life.

Artificial intelligence and generative AI remain the proverbial hype trains of thematic investing this year.

Longer duration Treasuries have been mired in a bear market since 2020 but could finally start to see a reversal of fortune.

Broad measures of investment-grade municipal bonds didn’t do much of anything in the first half of 2024, but some believe it could be poised for some upside.

The S&P 500 posted a near-perfect week, with gains every day except Thursday.

Many people want the passive income that can come with rental properties, but they come with risks and responsibilities.

We’ve seen the active ETF take in about 1/3 of all net asset inflows year-to-date, which is an impressive haul by historical standards.

More inflows into active bond ETFs during the month of June is following the overall trend of higher inflows since the start of the year.

The second half narrative remains dominated by the path of interest rates, inflation, and the looming election.

Taking on credit risk but not interest rate risk has been relatively rewarding to ETF investors thus far in 2024.

AI worked well in equity markets in the first half and could deliver for investors over the next six months.

For the 12 months ending July 3, the average return posted by the widely followed Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 indexes was 8.3%.

The expectation of rate cuts is not only fueling news-sensitive trades in emerging markets equities, but also in bonds.

Investors continue to pile into bond funds, looking to add yield now before the Federal Reserve starts instituting rate cuts.

Morgan Stanley recently discussed the outsized impact of fiscal policy as well as the U.S. dollar looking ahead.

Earnings season is just around the corner. It could prove critical to justifying the record rally we’ve seen thus far in 2024.

VettaFi discusses the upcoming election and potential implications for the energy sector.

Investors may want to opt for a middle-ground solution for yield and rate risk with intermediate bond funds.

In the week ending on June 3, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) rose 1.09% while the Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight ETF (RSP) was down 0.13%.

Some experts believe favorable seasonality could kick in for bitcoin now that the calendar has turned to July.

The mid- to long-term costs of missed opportunities by staying in cash mean investors should consider moving off the cash sidelines.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

The Generation X report released by Natixis Investment Managers included a check of investment sentiment and opportunities for advisors.

VettaFi looks at U.S. energy independence and the role the U.S. plays as a global energy supplier.

Investors of all stripes are getting increasingly acquainted with the AI megatrend, but some may not realize the depth therein.

Looking to assess your portfolio for the current inflation outlook? Natixis Investment Managers' Cyclicality vs. Inflation outlook can help.

Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where our panelists will tackle all of these topics and shed light on top strategies aimed at helping your clients reach their financial goals.

Valued for their reliability across economic regimes, investors don't have to sacrifice growth when blue chip investing with FBCG.

Corporate bonds continue to garner interest as investors may be locking in current yields now before eventual rate cuts take place.

Experienced real estate investors know that one of the primary fundamental measures of strength is occupancy rate.

Some experts believe investment-grade corporate bonds remain an opportunity-rich corner of the fixed income market.

The growing popularity of alternatives creates increased demand for private assets, with one surprising category above all.

Signs of cooling inflation are bringing bond bulls back as the Federal Reserve recently kept interest rates unchanged yet again.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

We are excited to announce that Ian Bremmer will once again headline Exchange, happening on March 23-26, 2025 in Las Vegas.

Senior loan ETFs have gained traction as elevated rate expectations spill over into the second half of the year.

When it comes to stocks with the artificial intelligence (AI) label, Nvidia (NVDA) arguably takes the cake.

Blockchain is relatively young, but it’s increasingly becoming a political hot spot. That’s worth examining.

New research highlights how active management may be more beneficial than passive strategies for avoiding overvalued securities.

It could be an opportune time to take advantage of core bond exposure now before a potential rally despite latest Fed-speak.

The real estate sector has been hamstrung this year as the Federal Reserve has yet to deliver widely hoped for interest rate reductions.

High interest rates continue to add a dose of uncertainty into the bond markets. Investors are responding by turning to active ETFs.

The notion that bitcoin can be included in standard investment portfolios earned further ballast earlier this year.

Economic indicators provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy. They are essential tools.

VettaFi has recently been named as a finalist for a Wealth Management award for our Expanded Research Offerings.

It’s certainly a challenging time to be an investor. It's probably why a call for caution and diversification seems to be getting louder.

Given its ascent to the $3 trillion market capitalization club, Nvidia (NVDA) is the stock that grabs the most AI headlines.

Despite prices heading lower, the start of summer could bring seasonal gold buying if history repeats itself.

In the early innings of 2024, there was a flurry of consolidation in the biotech industry.

A potentially overlooked area of opportunity to harness the impact and increased adoption of AI lies within midstream.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third term last week. But his party didn’t sweep to the expected landslide.

The utilities sector has outperformed most of the other sectors in 2024, and there are some very specific reasons why.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and related ETFs are usually viewed as rate-sensitive instruments, and with good reason.

The rapid expansion of AI has reopened the floodgates for renewables. But it's also propelled nuclear power into the spotlight.

VettaFi discusses spot ether ETFs, spot bitcoin ETFs, and the crypto ETF universe.

If there’s one corner of the equity market that’s trying investors’ patience, it’s small-caps.

T. Rowe Price research leader Jay Nogueira shares thoughts on his own 2024 outlook as well as the firm's research approach.

Alliance Bernstein converted two short duration mutual funds, worth almost $800 million in assets under management, into ETFs on Monday.

Being an equity growth investor has been a rewarding experience in the past year. Watching growth run-up has made for exciting charts.

It’s not just bitcoin’s price that’s expanding. The blockchain on which bitcoin resides -- one of the pioneers in the space -- is also rapidly adding heft.

Investors’ enthusiasm for growth stocks remains high and growth equities are in the midst of another lengthy run of beating value rivals.

For investors looking to position defensively within equities but avoid equity growth FOMO, look to the VictoryShares free cash flow ETFs.

New data from Goldman Sachs reports that younger generations of investors are using more personal investment plans to prepare for retirement.

Take a look at the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). That fund is higher by 24.55% for the 90 days ending June 3.

Treasury bonds are rallying, which opens the pathway for investment opportunities in three Vanguard exchange-traded funds.

Investment-grade corporate bonds aren’t doing much to thrill fixed income investors so far this year.

More investors opt for market flexibility with active funds as inflows are outshining their passive peers in the current market environment.

Bitcoin traded lower on May 31, but overall, the fifth month of the year was kind to the digital asset.

While emphasis on domestic bonds is valid, market participants should be careful to not ignore emerging markets bond opportunities.

Investors’ enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) equities remains undaunted.

Despite the falling yield spreads, investors continue to bet on rising prices in emerging markets (EM) bonds.

Emerging markets can offer traders the ability to play off strength outside U.S. borders, and with leveraged ETFs.

As measured by the Russell 2000 Index, small-caps have offered barely any upside this year.

As calls for diversification get louder, it’s a good time to look at healthcare, where long-term bullish trends meet near-term opportunities.

One pairing of disruptive technologies that could ascend to an enviable status is artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain.

Renewable energy ETFs are making a comeback after a dismal showing in the first half of the year, fueled by the rising tide of bullishness over artificial intelligence.

Last week, the SEC approved the initial regulatory filings for spot ethereum ETFs to trade on various U.S.-based exchanges.

Our speakers will identify the risks and opportunities in each product type, providing guidance on what to expect under different market conditions.​

Disruptive theme of the week: A confluence of factors have combined to make defense technology a compelling ETF investment theme.

Potential spot ether and spot bitcoin ETFs share some similarities but foundational cryptocurrency differences matter for investors.

Risk of a recession is abating as the capital markets could see interest rate cuts this year with signs of cooling inflation.

The Alternatives symposium happens on Thursday, May 30 at 11 a.m. ET. The free event will provide CE credits and more to attendees.

VettaFi discusses changes in the MLP/midstream investment product landscape.

Shares of Nvidia rallied after it unveiled financial guidance that hints at the AI boom still being in its early innings.

Rather than dive into a vast pool individual bond options, these three ETFs can provide a low-cost and convenient option.

Markets remain highly responsive to economic data as concerns around Fed policy and high interest rates dominate the second quarter.

Are you underweighting large cap growth? New research suggests that may be the case, inviting investors to consider options like FDG.

Interest in active fixed income products has swelled in 2024, as credit spreads narrow and the Federal Reserve holds fast to a “will they, won’t they” game.

The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) is higher by 11.30% year-to-date. This confirms that large- and mega-cap growth stocks are proving sturdy.

For retirees looking to accrue returns while mitigating risk, a structured protection fund can be an ideal solution.

AI is widely viewed as a catalyst for ongoing healthcare innovation and that relationship could signal opportunity with select ETFs.

Copper's price movements have decoupled themselves from the market movements inherent in base metals as well as oil.

While extracting yield is a prime option for bonds exposure, the risk associated with depreciating prices shouldn't put off investors.

Private asset trends may not directly apply to many investors in publicly available strategies, but they can provide helpful data.

Amid significant advancements in the realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, there’s plenty of related investment ebullience.

Private asset trends may not directly apply to many investors in publicly available strategies, but they can provide helpful data.

While I don’t miss covering multiple earnings calls in a day, I appreciate how quarterly updates impact the returns of equity ETFs.

With inflation cooling off somewhat, it may be worth considering adding an active growth investing ETF like TGRT.

As the capital markets brace for potential rate cuts before the end of the new year, investor demand is building for corporate bonds.

Rising profits could bring more fixed income investors to corporate bonds if the profit outlook remains rosy.

In the U.S., first-quarter earnings season is in the books, but there are still some reports to be delivered by big-name ex-US companies, including several from China.

An elevated or rising rate environment creates pockets of opportunity within asset classes such as closed-end funds.

Market participants often focus on the Magnificent Seven's earnings growth, share price performance and stock valuations.

Investors are understandably frustrated by listed real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P Real Estate Select Sector Index is off 2.1% over the past three years, belying real estate’s reputation as an inflation-fighting group.

Active ETFs seem to be everywhere right now following a big boom over the last few years. While active ETF strategies have been available for many years, the so-called ETF rule in 2019 kickstarted ETF development.

As long as ETFs stay true to their original mindset of solving investor problems, growth is the only path forward. Current product development suggests that’s the most likely case.

Rather than wait for interest rate cuts, some companies are opting to simply offload debt, which could be a boon for corporate bonds.

VettaFi looks at the expected growth in US LNG export capacity and how midstream/MLPs benefit.

The TCW Group announced that two of its mutual funds have been converted into ETFs, offering focuses on growth and artificial intelligence.

An AI bubble may be simmering in the background, so for investors still looking for AI ETFs, it may be worth taking a discerning look around.

While much remains uncertain regarding rates, inflation, and the economy, quality stock investing proves a boon in any market environment.

Bonds investors now balance the potential risks and rewards of taking on longer duration exposures in the current environment.

Among all economic indicators, some of the most closely watched are those surrounding the labor market. They provide insight into the health of the economy. But they also impact individuals’ lives and play a central role in government policy decisions.

Among the 11 global industry classification standard (GICS) sectors, tech is not the best performer since the start of 2024. Not even close, nor is it the worst offender. Technology remains the largest sector exposure in a variety of domestic equity benchmarks. That cements its status as a must-watch group.

The current macroenvironment could spell opportunity for active bond funds as bond yields may have peaked.

While S&P 500 index-based ETFs were down 4% in April, they remained positive for the year. We believe as more institutional and retail investors turn to ETFs, these products will further swell in size.

The Federal Reserve just wrapped up another policy meeting, and markets continue to push back their expectations of a first rate cut.

John Hancock Investment Management has added a new ETF to the company's growing lineup. JHHY primarily invests in high yield bonds.

Investors seeking energy sector exposure but concerned about oil and gas volatility should look to midstream master limited partnerships.

April’s sell-off isn’t dissuading investors from taking a closer look at adding bonds to their portfolio. The price dip is giving prospective bond investors a chance to take action on higher yields now before the U.S. Federal Reserve eventually cuts rates.

Inflation and interest rate hikes have not been kind to REITs and the funds that own them. However, their low valuations could indicate an opportunity for investors.

Looking to make a midcap allocation? Midcaps can stand out relative to small- or large-caps thanks to its combination of growth and size.

High quality short-term bonds offer a number portfolio benefits while putting excess cash to work, but what's under the hood matters.

VettaFi examines the growth in data centers as a demand driver for natural gas and potential benefits for midstream.

The elephant in the emerging markets room is China, and not just because it’s the world’s second-largest economy behind only the U.S.

While high-yield implies higher risk when it comes to bonds, HYD, which turned 15 years old in February, isn’t excessively risky.

This article takes a deep look at three important economic releases from the past week: PCE, GDP, and consumer sentiment.

As equity volatility and market uncertainty continue, investors increasingly turn to equity income strategies for opportunity.

The prospect of interest rate cuts may be helping to fuel gold's rally. However, it's not the only factor propelling gold to new highs.

Free cash flow ETFs VFLO and SFLO can be used to introduce factors to a portfolio. The funds offer exposures to quality, value, and growth.

Stubbornly high inflation and solid economic may be conspiring to force the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer.

Investors may be missing out on midcap stocks despite their notable appeal in performance and limited risk compared to other firms.

A changing rate narrative now leaves advisors weighing the costs and benefits of taking on additional interest rate risk.

At February's Exchange conference, New Frontier Advisors Chief Investment Officers was interviewed about his firm and the coming markets.

Active ETF strategies have stormed the scene over the past year and are growing at a dizzying pace.

Interpreting flows into ETFs and mutual funds sometimes feels an awful lot like reading tea leaves, but I love it.

Even if higher-for-longer interest rates are applying downward pressure on prices, bonds still look enticing.

Bitcoin’s much anticipated quadrennial halving occurred last weekend and the rewards earned by bitcoin miners will be, well, halved.

VettaFi examines the opportunities the growing hydrogen industry presents to the traditional midstream space.

Amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, bullish momentum could remain for a pair of Vanguard oil ETFs.

The melding of yield and rate risk mitigation is available in the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV).

Inflation concerns are top of mind again, with consumer prices and producer prices rising higher last week.

Some experts think that efforts to expand blockchain technology are being forced upon end users and investors.

Three months of discouraging inflation data coupled with some hot economic data points are considered headwinds for U.S. Treasurys.

Traders can continue riding the strength of the AI wave with the Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull and Bear 3X Shares (SOXL).

In this edition of Bull vs. Bear, staff writers Nick Wodeshick and Nick Peters-Golden ask whether rate cuts will still happen in 2024.

Q2 weakness is causing traders to up their bearish bets on bond prices, but it presents an opportunity for value-seeking investors.

Advisors weigh in on how you should approach account withdrawals after retirement in order to make your assets last.

It appears investors are heading for the exits on U.S. Treasuries and towards the entranceway of European bonds.

Gold prices have shot up to historic highs – outshining broader markets and driving up demand for gold ETFs.

Last week, the S&P 500 notched its worst weekly performance since last October. Small-cap indexes weren’t immune from the weakness.

Economic indicators are essential tools that provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.

For investors looking to position their portfolios amid ongoing uncertainty, many options strategies benefit from increased volatility.

Fixed income poses big challenges and opportunities in 2024, with ETF leaders from several firms sharing their thoughts at ETF Exchange.

In the first quarter of 2024, fixed income investors turned to investment-grade corporate bond ETFs.

Fueled in part by expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this year — or at the very least, won’t hike anymore — preferred stocks and related ETFs are delivering solid showings for income investors.

The S&P 500 has been touching new highs after a rocky start to the first quarter of 2024, and is doing the same thing again at the start of Q2. While market corrections will happen invariably, it’s a reminder that traders can always take advantage of any short-term weakness.

Not even an uptick in inflation or lofty stock valuations could keep the bulls at bay. Here are some of the popular ETFs in the first quarter.

VettaFi discusses natural gas liquids exports and midstream companies facilitating NGL export growth.

Bond laddering, particularly within the confines of the ETF wrapper in funds such as USIN, can be useful to advisors and investors.

Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the health and performance of an economy. Last week featured employment updates.

More broad spread adoption of options strategies mean a variety of options are now available to investors, but don't overlook FLEX options.

Investors have been opting for intermediate-term bonds funds as uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's policy looms.

Derive market upside and tax-efficient income with the actively managed NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI).

A flurry of investor interest is taking place in the corporate bond market as investors scramble for yield before rate cuts.

Japan is finally experiencing much needed inflation, and the subsequent wage gains could be a catalyst for stock involvement.

Emerging markets equities and the related exchange traded funds have long been responsive to Fed decisions on U.S. interest rates.

VettaFi examines growing natural gas production from the Permian and the related midstream/MLP growth projects.

Spot bitcoin ETFs have proved to be a big story in markets this year, with asset management leaders discussing at Exchange this year.

ETFs such as the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund (IQDG) could be on the receiving end of renewed attention.

As the Magnificent Seven shifts into a new mode, active investing can take look ahead to further changes in the market narrative this year.

A downside of investing in defensive sectors is that those groups command above-average valuation and below-average volatility traits.

More investors are willing to take on credit risk in order to attain yield, but there are other ETF options to consider.

For this edition of Bull vs. Bear, Karrie Gordon and Nick Peters-Golden debate whether alts deserve portfolio allocation in 2024.

Actively managed equity ETFs are gaining traction in 2024. Consider active management on small caps and their ETFs.

Rate cuts should help ease volatility in the bond markets, making it ideal for prospective bond investors to get core exposure.

Enthusiasm for AI is widespread, with epicenters of that ebullience including the investment community and corporate America.

Economic indicators allow policymakers, advisors, investors, and businesses to make informed decisions about financial markets.

Ask investors, likely both professional and retail, what individual stock they most readily associated with artificial intelligence (AI).

As the anticipation of rate cuts build, it may cause fixed income investors to fret, but an ultra-short option could help ease those worries.

Given the rises of some 'Magnificent Seven' members, there are myriad claims those and other large- and mega-cap tech stocks are stretched on valuation.

Seeking ETF options as rate cuts look further and further away? Consider how value investing via active ETFs could help.

With three potential Fed interest rate cuts forecast for this year, gold remains an attractive equity hedge.

Corporate defaults have been on the rise. As such, investors may want to consider investment-grade debt until credit risks subside.

Zach Pandl, the head of research at Grayscale, spoke with VettaFi about bitcoin's current runup and what lies ahead for the cryptocurrency.

As the S&P 500 continues climbing, investors don't need to worry about a sudden drop, which bodes well for high-yielding dividend funds.

Treasury yields are on the rise following new economic data and upcoming indicators from the Federal Reserve.

Often, investors ask us about the remaining useful life for pipelines and whether these assets will become stranded as renewable energy and electric vehicles gain traction.

The heated debate surrounding traditional 60/40 portfolios in today’s markets has dwindled in recent months. Given ongoing market volatility and the growing popularity of alternatives, does the traditional portfolio hold up today?

Even after high demand in 2023, quality-focused investments are popular again in 2024.

In a global macroeconomic environment fraught with high inflation, consumers are stressing needs over wants, but that’s not to say they’re abstaining from the latter completely.

Capital markets appear content with playing the rate cut waiting game as the S&P 500 continues to rise to new highs. Meanwhile, renewed volatility could make investors reconsider adding an equal weight strategy to their portfolios.

It’s been a raucous past year for fixed income investors. Following years of quiet for rate markets, the Fed’s rapid rate hikes, and subsequent signals about rate cuts, have reinvigorated fixed income investing.

One topic that does merit advisors and investors of all kinds to stop and learn, however, is the mutual fund to ETF conversion process. With ETFs, especially of the active variety, coming on so strong in the last year, it’s an important process to understand.

At the end of Exchange 2024, VettaFi shared an exciting announcement: Exchange 2025 will take place in Las Vegas. Next year’s iteration of the legendary conference will happen March 23-26. It will be held at Virgin Hotel’s Curio Collection by Hilton.

The broad stock market is taking a breather from its rally. That means the “Magnificent Seven” stocks are also catching their breath after a strong rally that started late in 2023. Despite the recent pullback, certain members of that cohort still show technical signs of bullishness.

The January debuts of spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. have figured prominently in the cryptocurrency’s ascent this year. However, experienced crypto investors know that the upcoming quadrennial halving is likely playing a significant role in Bitcoin’s 2024 bullishness.

This week, more than 400 members of the Women in ETFs (WE) organization gathered to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary. The New York City event was just the latest opportunity for community members to exchange ideas and learn together.

With the future of the economic environment remaining uncertain, investors are reevaluating what factors to prioritize when seeking large-cap opportunities.

Since their inception, exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to grow their market share and popularity with investors. The tax efficiency for which they are known comes down to three primary mechanisms from which the vehicle wrapper benefits.

Is now the time to get back into REITs? Media headlines may have previously dissuaded investors from real estate, but the landscape is changing.

The ongoing narrative around the strength of large-cap equities will continue to center around forthcoming rate cuts. Once the Federal Reserve receives the economic data it needs to loosen monetary policy and hit its inflation goal of 2%, it could propel growth-oriented large-cap stocks into the stratosphere.

Investors appear increasingly optimistic regarding equity performance in the second half. However, frothy markets continue to create challenges this quarter and advisors looking to find opportunities within equities this year don’t want to miss the recent 2024 Equity Symposium hosted by VettaFi.

With a quarter of 2024 in the books, investors have been closely watching key inflation and interest rate trends.

If 2023 was the year of the mega cap tech stock, 2024 may see SMIDcap stocks rise to new prominence. While key names in the “Magnificent Seven” remain big players, strategies that look for SMIDcap opportunities could appeal. Valuations are such that investors may want to consider new approaches.

Any sliver of news that feeds into the higher-for-longer interest rates narrative will be an unwelcome guest for tech bulls. For traders looking to feed off bearishness, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of inverse exchange traded funds (ETFs).

For decades, the tech sector wasn’t viewed as a prime source of equity income. But that’s changed for the better in recent years, and that positive evolution is ongoing.

The U.S. stock market has done so well that many investors may have forgotten about the rest of the world. Emerging markets, however, have a case to get back into investors’ portfolios.

With the end of the free money era, fundamentals and management quality matter more now than they did in the 2010s, underscoring the role of active ETFs.

Equity markets recovered in 2023 and ETF investors have been reengaged in recent months. Demand for equity ETFs has accelerated both for a core allocation and more tactical exposures. With so many equity ETFs to choose from, it is important to dive into the drivers. We plan to cover broad US and international strategies as well as more targeted smart beta, thematic and active strategies. Position your client portfolios for 2024 after hearing from industry experts.

The field of noncryptocurrency blockchain usage cases are expanding rapidly. That brings with it some potentially alluring investment implications.

On Sunday, the Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) turned 25 years old. The more than $250 billion ETF is the fifth largest ETF behind three S&P 500 ETFs and one even broader U.S. equity ETF.

Tomorrow is the day! VettaFi’s Equity Symposium will offer critical thought leadership and guidance as the economy enters the second quarter.

Taking advantage of yields now before the Federal Reserve loosens monetary policy has caused investors to scramble for bond exposure amid record issuance in 2024. Prospective investors looking to add core exposure to their portfolios can consider a pair of ETFs from Vanguard.

Among the larger ETF providers, few have product stability like Vanguard. When changes do occur, that’s worthy of celebration. Last week, some of Vanguard’s fixed income leadership was in New York to help close the stock market at the Nasdaq. VettaFi was honored to join them.

Looking for a way to play potential 2024 rate cuts? Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently reiterated that the central bank plans to cut rates this year. 

The potential for a soft landing continues to grow as the Fed indicates rate cuts later this year. A soft landing could cause further tightening in credit spreads, while a divergence from market expectations could lead to sudden widening.

Perhaps the biggest “known unknown” this year is the nature of the Fed’s rate cuts. Once again, this week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell shared that the Fed is looking to cut rates this year. The nature and amount of those cuts, however, will have a significant impact on markets.

The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) is often viewed as the territory of high-octane technology and communication services stocks. While that’s true, investors should also consider the benchmark’s exposure to consumer equities.

Record issuance in bonds to start 2024 is now showing up in the sales numbers. In the case of corporate bonds, record issuance in January was met with record sales in February as the scramble to lock in yields is spurring bond buyers to act.

There are at least two certainties regarding Indian stocks. First, equities in that country have been the stars among major emerging markets for several years.

One of the widely cited catalysts pertaining to bitcoin is supply. Only 21 million of the digital coins can be mined. And thanks to quadrennial halvings, the next of which is slated for April, it gets harder to mine the cryptocurrency.

Actively managed ETFs continue to gain traction. After a strong 2023, active ETFs gathered 34% of the net inflows in the first two months of 2024. Impressive for an asset category that still represents 6% of overall industry assets.

It is earnings season in music land, and some exciting growth trends are emerging among companies involved in the global music industry. At the forefront of the industry has been renewed interest in live music in the post-pandemic environment.

The active ETF TCAF has crested $1 billion in AUM in just nine months. Emblematic of a strong year for active ETF investing, the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation ETF (TCAF) added nearly $500 million in flows over the last three months alone.

Among the G7 countries, the U.S. economy and its inflation rate, for that matter, are impressive. But when factoring other large economies into the equation, India is the dominant force.

The Equity Symposium is just a week away. Advisors can earn free CE credits and hear from industry experts and thought leaders on March 13th.

Amid a 2023 market rally, exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows had a banner year, putting the mutual fund industry further on notice that ETF popularity continues to grow exponentially. Furthermore, the move toward ETFs should increase investor exposure to active funds that focus on bonds.

Spot bitcoin ETFs have been in focus for the financial services community for the first two months of 2024. Last week at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the executives behind the largest of these ETFs, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) helped open the stock market.

Many fixed income investors have started venturing out in duration in portfolios. When interest rates are cut, high-quality duration could serve as an important hedge for a bond portfolio.

After a stellar 2023, the magnificent seven are mixed through the first two months of 2024. Nvidia (NVDA) is on a breathtaking pace higher while Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is up 10%.

The markets these days have been especially sensitive to economic data, as any indication of weakness could mean rate cuts may finally be close. That, in effect, should also push the S&P 500 to even higher heights.

The Equity Symposium on March 13 is shaping up to give investors critical insights into the equity space. This free event will provide CE credits. VettaFi is fresh off the smashing success of Exchange and continuing to provide the insights investors need to navigate today’s complicated environment.

OpenAI leader Sam Altman made headlines earlier this month, touting a semiconductor project requiring trillions of dollars.

Investors continue to turn to low-cost core taxable bond ETFs in 2024. The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and the iShares Core Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) gathered $2.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, as of late February.

This week bitcoin prices reached over $60,000 — the highest level since November 2021. Since the launch of spot bitcoin ETFs in early January, demand continues to pile on. So far the nine new spot ETFs (ex-GBTC) have seen over $7 billion in net inflows.

Bitcoin has long been referred to as “digital gold.” In what would likely amount to good news for the cryptocurrency and related spot ETFs launched in January, at least one expert believes bitcoin could eventually wrest market share from the yellow metal.

Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and investors still holding out hope that rate cuts will happen at some point, global equities are marching higher. That rally could eventually spill over into other assets like international bonds.

The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) is higher by 6.7% year to date. That confirms tech stocks remain in strong form. Still, some market observers are concerned valuations in tech and other high-growth sectors are becoming somewhat frothy.

The next bitcoin halving – the process through which mining of the cryptocurrency becomes more difficult – is about two months away and will officially arrive when 840,000 blocks is reached.

A retreating dollar is exactly what gold needed to put the precious metal back into the investment spotlight. Hotter-than-expected inflation in January pushed the yellow metal below the $2,000 mark. But it has been rising again with geopolitical factors providing tailwinds along with a weaker greenback.

This week, VettaFi hosted a webcast in partnership with Swan Global. The educational focus was on the challenges of achieving sustainable income and the benefits of an options-based strategy.

On the lookout for some new ETFs? Active ETFs had a great year in 2023 and are off to a hot start in 2024. The question, then, is how to choose from a growing list of strategies. One powerful heuristic for assessing ETFs — tech analysis — can help.

The S&P 500’s drive toward a record high could have Europe equities following right behind it. As such, traders may want to consider European equities as a latent move if the S&P keeps pushing to higher highs.

There are more than 200 ETF providers in the $8 trillion U.S. ETF market, but I’m intrigued by a recent entrant’s ambitions. In December 2023, Themes ETFs introduced 11 ETFs.

Covered call ETFs and strategies remain in focus. The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) gathered $13 billion in 2023, despite rising just 10% in value.

Investors have been basking in the sunlight of a year-end market rally in 2023 that appears to be continuing in 2024 after a slow start to January.

VettaFi sat down with Capital Group’s head of global product strategy and development Holly Framsted at the ETF Exchange conference in Miami to discuss the firm’s recent survey about active fixed income ETFs.

As measured by the S&P Select Sector Real Estate Index, real estate stocks are struggling this year, as that gauge is lower by 3.47%. However, some market observers remain constructive about real estate stocks. This indicates there could be opportunities in the space for selective investors.

Cloud computing is one of the sub-sectors of technology that are benefiting from last year’s rally. When it comes to specific names, CrowdStrike is a notable one helping to push the Direxion Daily Cloud Computing Bull 2X Shares ETF (CLDL) even higher.

Electric vehicle (EV) equities and related exchange traded funds currently appear as though their check engine lights are on.

Record issuance in the corporate bond market is giving fixed income investors an abundance of opportunities. However, due diligence is necessary as high-yielding bonds may uncover a risky proposition that doesn’t quite match an investor’s risk profile.

Short-term bonds are generally defined as debt with maturities of one to three years. Additionally, these bonds come in a variety of forms, including Treasuries.

Active ETFs had a big, big year in 2023. At the recent ETF Exchange conference in Miami, active strategies dominated the discussion, with growing interest among issuers and investors in actively managed funds.

Even if you have not heard of the Magnificent Seven stocks as a group, you likely know the companies. The Magnificent Seven comprises Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon.com (AMZN), Nvidia (NVDA), Meta Platforms (META), Tesla (TSLA), and Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL).

Bitcoin recently had a scorching hot run. It has some crypto market observers believing new all-time highs are right around the corner. Additionally, it’s having the predictable, though still welcomed, effect of lifting some stocks with intimate ties to the largest digital currency.

Higher for longer. This was the key message to me from advisors and ETF industry folks at the Exchange conference when talking about fixed income.

What do passive ETFs really do? Many investors are used to the comfort of simply allocating to a big index and almost forgetting about it, only checking in every so often.

The real estate sector represents a mere 2.31% of the S&P 500. Just two sectors – materials and utilities – command smaller allocations in the benchmark domestic equity gauge. That low weight garnered by real estate stocks and REITs belies the popularity of those assets among investors.

With one month in the books for 2024, and markets still waiting for a sign from the Fed, many investors may be looking to shake up their portfolios. What worked in 2023, after all, may not necessarily work in 2024.

This year continues to follow in the footsteps of 2023, marked by increased investor optimism but ongoing uncertainty. For now, much remains unknown, and a higher January inflation print only proves the challenges that still lie ahead.

Patience is required when embracing long-dated bonds and corresponding exchange traded funds. In standard market environments, intraday price action for long duration Treasurys usually isn’t breathtaking. Nor are investors expecting it to be.

Investors are turning toward active ETFs and away from mutual funds thanks to the ETF wrapper, per data from Trackinsight’s Global ETF Survey. The survey, which came out this week, showed growing investor favor toward active strategies.

Investors looking for a “story stock” need not look much further than semiconductor giant Nvidia (NVDA). Proving that lofty valuations aren’t detriments to the upside, the stock is higher by 46.72% year-to-date. Additionally, it is now the third-largest U.S.-based company by market capitalization.

WisdomTree’s Head of Distribution, Americas, Joe Grogan, sat down with VettaFi to discuss the firm’s message to advisors, its digital assets and tokenization capabilities, model portfolios, and more at the recent ETF Exchange conference.

A record month of issuance in January and still relatively high yields could be prime drivers of demand for corporate debt in the current market environment. With that, an all-encompassing approach to corporate debt is available in the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF ETF Shares (VTC).

With added excitement surrounding artificial intelligence, the Magnificent Seven may be one of the easiest ways to play this trend without investing in obscure small-cap stocks.

There is some conventional wisdom as it pertains to how interest rates affect stocks. For example, the real estate and utilities sectors are viewed as negatively correlated to 10-year Treasury yields. That explains why those sectors struggled last year.

The not-so-secret ingredient that’s been fueling gains for big tech since its fourth quarter has definitely been artificial intelligence (AI). The lack of AI tailwinds for Tesla could be pushing the company’s stock down further.

In the face of still elevated inflation, the U.S. consumer remains a force to be reckoned with. Obviously, that’s a plus for the consumer discretionary sector and ETFs such as the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Discretionary ETF (RSPD).

Many midstream companies provide guidance for the year ahead, but a select group also offer EBITDA growth guidance or targets for the next few years. Visibility to future EBITDA growth provides important context for dividend growth.

Big tech’s strong fourth-quarter rally behind artificial intelligence (AI) has been well-documented, but the big question was whether it could sustain the run. So far it has, with the Direxion Daily Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 2X ETF (UBOT) up almost 50% over the past three months.

The just-concluded Exchange conference brought together more than 1,800 people on-site in Miami. The advisor and ETF community came together to learn from one another and industry experts.

Capital markets pondering when and how fast rate cuts come may invoke anxiety in fixed income investors expecting yields to fall. If they’re willing to extend their exposure to higher duration, they can attain the higher yields they seek.

In such a troubled year, investors increasingly turned to alternative strategies to augment or enhance their existing core exposures. With more equity income funds coming online, how do the top ETFs in the category stack up?

When ETF investors want real estate exposure, they’re not relegated to just the residential market. That’s imperative in the current market environment. The ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) provides this flexibility.

Broadly speaking on both counts, ESG funds posted solid returns last year. But many investors pulled capital from these products with some actively managed funds being the most afflicted by outflows.

The start of 2024 has been marked by record issuance both in the public and private business sectors. In terms of the latter, green bonds are also hitting the market, as in the case of plastics maker Dow Inc.

Investors waiting on small-cap equities and related ETFs may be encountering a “Waiting for Godot” moment. That’s because it feels like a while since small-caps have offered good reason to peer away from large-caps.

Yesterday, before the Super Bowl kicked off, VettaFi hosted an ETF game show at the Exchange conference in Miami. As part of the ETF Study Hall, we brought together the ETF community to help share information about some equity, fixed income, commodity, and even spot bitcoin ETFs.

High yield did well across multiple sectors in the U.S., according to the BondBloxx Fixed Income Monthly Update for January.

Closed-end funds (CEFs) are relatively under the radar compared to peers like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. Closed-end funds are generally desirable for two reasons: 1) high income; and 2) premium/discount mechanism.

A data-dependent Federal Reserve is keen to hold interest rates until it gets additional confirmation inflation is cooling. This could keep the window open for prospective bonds investors seeking value opportunities.

Over long horizons, dividends’ growth and reinvestment of those payouts serve as vital factors in portfolio growth. However, dividends aren’t guaranteed and with bond yields still high, some skittish investors may be inclined to embrace fixed income over equity income.

Many advisors may be surprised to learn how many securities are needed for effective portfolio diversification. A common misconception among advisors is that true diversification and risk reduction can only be achieved by holding a large number of individual securities.

One of the primary hurdles to broader adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing principles and the related funds has been long-lacking clarity and regulatory framework covering ESG ratings and regulations.

Alongside great content, we’re also bringing some of the most prominent voices in finance to the stage. J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s chief global strategist Dr. David Kelly recently shared what he’s thinking about and watching in markets ahead of Exchange.

Foreign policy is not all that foreign. That’s a key message from Dr. Richard Haass. He is President Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations and Senior Counselor for Centerview Partners. Dr. Haass will also be at the Exchange conference in Miami on Monday. 

The recurring theme of artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t going away soon. Members of the Magnificent Seven, which include household big tech names, saw their earnings boosted along with rosier outlooks thanks to the inclusion of AI in their respective business operations.

A new ETF playoff champion has been crowned. Artificial Intelligence routed spot Bitcoin ETFs to claim the first-ever ETF championship.

Ten spot bitcoin exchange traded funds came to market last month, increasing access to the largest cryptocurrency for scores of advisors and investors. While that event is obviously pertinent to bitcoin itself, there are derivative beneficiaries.

In less than 2 weeks, advisors will flock to sunny Miami for the annual Exchange Conference. Content sessions this year offer advisors insight into growing their business models in unexpected ways, the macro and market environment of 2024, navigating the AI revolution, and more.

Exchange begins on Sunday, February 11! Like any big industry event, there are things you should do in advance that will make it easier for you to take advantage of the learning and networking opportunities.

To stay competitive with their peers, big tech companies will need to continue leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). Given this competitive landscape, an alternate play on AI could be single-stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in companies like Microsoft.

Read enough financial publications and one is apt to find there’s no shortage of rankings. There’s the Fortune 500 as well as rankings of companies based on customer and employee satisfaction. There are also environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

GMO’s Jeremy Grantham recently shared what he’s thinking about and watching in markets ahead of Exchange.

At the Exchange conference, I will not be wearing a football jersey and looking over my Super Bowl squares. Instead, I will be on stage asking ETF experts (and my friends and fellow nerds) trivia questions in a quiz show game.

In one week, advisors will flock to sunny Miami for the annual Exchange Conference. Content sessions this year offer advisors insight into growing their business models in unexpected ways, the macro and market environment of 2024, navigating the AI revolution, and more.

The start of 2024 has been marked by record issuance in bonds both in the public and private sectors. But as fresh supply hits the bond market, prices have been dipping as of late.

Through one month and a day of trading action in 2024, the Russell 200 Index is off 2.63%. That’s while large cap benchmarks are rallying. So it’s reasonable that some market participants are noncommittal regarding small caps.

Big tech appears to be sloughing off its slow start to 2024 and tech dominance could continue if history once again proves to be correct. If that’s the case, bulls can continue riding the tech wave.

Google parent Alphabet (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and Tesla (TSLA) are among the magnificent seven members that have delivered fourth-quarter results. The cadre of high-growth mega-caps will be pivotal drivers of S&P 500 EPS for the final three months of last year and beyond.

On Super Bowl Sunday, hundreds of advisors will gather at the Exchange conference. The conference does not officially kick off (had to do it) until Monday morning. However, many will join VettaFi and industry friends for an ETF study hall Sunday between 1-5 p.m.

Exchange is less than two weeks away, and the reasons for advisors to go continue to accumulate. VettaFi is thrilled to announce that Dr. Wendy Borlabi will be joining the roster of experts and thought leaders speaking at Exchange.

The ETF Playoffs have reached the final round. This weekend, spot bitcoin ETFs will square off against artificial intelligence to see who gets to be the champion of 2024! The winners were determined by vote on Exchange’s LinkedIn page. With the championship nigh, voting for the winner will open soon.

Following scintillating runs by AI-related stocks in 2023, some market observers believe a cooling-off period could be in the cards. However, that doesn’t dent the long-term thesis for AI investing.

The panel discussion, moderated by Freedom Investment Management CIO Ben Lavine, will include Eric Veiel, Head of Global Investments, CIO at T. Rowe Price, and Alex Zweber, Managing Director – Investment Strategy at Parametric.

The residential real estate market will continue to be at the mercy of interest rate policy throughout 2024, but there are other corners of the real estate market to consider. One active exchange traded fund, in particular, takes a different approach to real estate.

Good timing often helps some new exchange traded funds. And that was expected to be the case for the 10 recently launched spot bitcoin ETFs, including the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO).

The “Magnificent Seven” were at the forefront of 2023’s market rally, but the same leader board has done some shifting to start 2024. After an earnings miss, the stock of Tesla faltered, while peers like Microsoft and Apple continue to see higher heights, reaching the $3 trillion club.

Income investors have an overwhelming number of investment options today. The menu ranges from traditional fixed income to equity investments like REITs to innovative covered call ETFs to more exotic vehicles.

The first round of the ETF Playoffs has concluded! Exchange, a conference for financial services professionals, is happening in Miami, February 11-14. Since Exchange is hosting a party for the big game at Miami’s hottest club, LIV, we’re hosting an ETF championship bracket.

Prior to 2022, many retail investors likely eschewed buying individual Treasury bonds from the U.S. government. That’s because they didn’t offer much in the way of income.

To celebrate the pending Exchange conference, VettaFi and some key industry partners were at the Nasdaq MarketSite to help ring the opening bell last week. Exchange will be the industry’s largest ETF-, and most valuable advisor-focused, conference.

This week, follow Exchange on LinkedIn and vote for your favorite ETF trends of 2024.

Emerging markets debt proved sturdy in 2023. And more of the same could be on the way this year. That’s because fixed income investors are looking outside of the U.S. for elevated levels of income.

A traditional 60/40 stock/bond portfolio has been a tried and tested strategy among financial planners. But income seekers can specifically reap the benefits of both assets with exposure to one active exchange-traded fund: the NEOS Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF (BNDI).

A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that AI will affect almost two out of every five jobs done by humans around the world. AI of course will impact work that is already somewhat or totally automated.

Despite several physical gold ETFs on the market seeing strong outflows and spot Bitcoin ETFs stealing market share, gold miner ETFs haven’t necessarily faced the same problem of outflows.

While 2023 was the year of Fed rate hikes, the fixed income market is expecting 2024 to be the year of rate cuts. At the December 2023 meeting, the Federal Reserve’s own guidance was for three 25 basis point reductions in 2024.

Bitcoin has fallen below $40,000 after rising to just under $50,000 before the spot bitcoin ETF launch. Many investors expected this to be the beginning of a price rally that would be extended later this year through the halving event and take us to prices seen in 2021.

The expectation of higher corporate earnings in 2024 could help prop up the actively managed NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI). Of course, capital markets are brimming with optimism, with the expectation of rate cuts to come.

Registered investment advisors have long leaned on the 60% equities/40% fixed income portfolio structure. While it’s not perfect, it has served clients well, broadly speaking.

The BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF (DYNF) is approaching its fourth birthday. The active ETF outperformed the S&P 500 over the past one- and three-year periods.

Amid expectations that the worst case scenario for interest rates this year is that the Federal Reserve will halt its tightening cycle, some fixed income investors may be inclined to take their eyes of floating rate notes (FRNs).

The anticipation of rate cuts to come this year is making for a busy bond month to start 2024. Now, regional banks are adding to corporate bond sales, according to data from Bank of America. 

The Federal Reserve is expected to make interest rate cuts this year. But representatives from the U.S. central bank are sending the message that the cuts won’t be coming soon.

Gold has long been known as a safe haven and diversifying asset that investors turn to in times of economic and geopolitical distress. Last year was just such a year, with gold drawing the attention of investors of all stripes.

Today, VettaFi’s groundbreaking financial services conference Exchange rang the Nasdaq bell in Times Square. Exchange is slated to start on February 11 in Miami, Florida.

Last Friday, Bloomberg Senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas joined VettaFi vice chairman Tom Lydon and head of research Todd Rosenbluth for the VettaFi Cryptocurrency Symposium to talk about the launch of the first spot bitcoin ETFs the day before.

January 2024 is likely to be remembered for the strong launch of 10 new spot bitcoin ETFs and the uplisting of the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF (GBTC).

Roundhill Investments announced the launch of the Roundhill Bitcoin Covered Call Strategy ETF (YBTC) on the Cboe BZX today. The actively managed YBTC is the first bitcoin covered call strategy ETF to list in the U.S.

While capital markets are expecting rate cuts to come this year, the pace at which they occur and when certainly comes into question. While the Fed continues to mull rates, fixed income investors can consider three specific ETFs from Vanguard to get more yield.

Exchange kicks off the same day as the most important game in American sports — the Super Bowl. Here are the four main reasons you’re better off seeing the game at Exchange than anywhere else.

With lower interest rates now in sight and renewed confidence in the stock market, deal making activity should pick up in 2024 after a slow couple of years.

With the expectation of Federal Reserve rate cuts to come this year, global central banks could also follow suit. This could pave the way for international equities to run higher, giving investors upside while also getting diversified exposure.

I’m a big fan of ETF product development, but sometimes the choices can be overwhelming. For example, on our ETF Database platform there are approximately 90 ETFs offering high yield bond exposure.

Treasury yields rose on Wednesday following stronger-than-expected retail sales and encouraging remarks from a Federal Reserve member.

The recent debut of spot bitcoin ETFs is expected to broaden the audience of cryptocurrency investors, including registered investment advisors (RIAs) and wealth management firms.

Emerging markets bonds issuance is already reaching record highs early in 2024. The Financial Times reported that EM debt issuance is already at $50 billion, opening opportunities in EM bond ETFs.

Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, discussed the launch of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), with BlackRock’s Jay Jacobs. Rosenbluth and Jacobs also talked about the benefits of ETF bitcoin exposure for investors, and about blockchain technology at the Crypto Symposium hosted on the VettaFi platform.

With the SEC opening the floodgates to spot bitcoin ETFs last week, VanEck’s Director of Digital Assets Product Kyle DaCruz thinks that interest in cryptocurrency products and bitcoin ETFs is “only going to spike.”

So much of the market’s focus on the AI narrative has emphasized AI’s place in information technology firms. Chatbots like ChatGPT foretell a world of AI agents helping humans boost productivity, push creativity forward, and improve efficiency.

The long-awaited spot bitcoin ETFs are trading after a decade of waiting. So now the ETF and advisor community has some available brain capacity to look forward. In a month, many will be in Miami, Florida to kick off the Exchange conference. I can’t wait.

The launch of spot bitcoin ETFs should help advisors better connect with clients and gain a larger share of assets. For the past few years, advisors’ biggest frustration was that they were not able to get access to spot bitcoin investments despite clients asking for it.

Kicking off the symposium, WisdomTree Investments CEO Jonathan Steinberg and Bitwise Asset Management CIO Matt Hougan gave an overview of how investors may want to interpret the news.

Last week was perhaps one of the biggest weeks in the history of cryptocurrency, as the SEC finally approved 10 spot bitcoin ETFs from a range of issuers. To help ETF-oriented investors better understand these products, and the cryptocurrency industry overall, VettaFi hosted a Cryptocurrency Symposium on January 12, 2024.

After several years of uncertainty, spot bitcoin ETFs were finally approved by the SEC on January 10. The spot bitcoin ETF launch was monumental in several ways.

Wall Street is doubling down on their bond bets for 2024. The notion that rate cuts are finally coming in 2024 spurs this movement. That said, here are a trio of exchange traded funds (ETFs) from Vanguard worth noting.

Finally, the ETF industry can let out a sigh of relief and revel in the fact that spot bitcoin ETFs will be available to U.S. market participants.

An initial lull ahead of a so-called “January Effect” is stifling the U.S. equities rally investors saw in 2023 and small caps haven’t been immune. Nonetheless, active strategies can help mute the short-term downside by adding flexibility when markets fluctuate.

2023 was a memorable year for AI, which also benefited the semiconductor industry. The growth trajectory of the former should also boost the latter. And that should allow traders to continue leveraging its strength in 2024.

Corporate bonds delivered solid gains last year. And market observers expect more of the same in 2024. But it’s important to note that the consensus is leaning toward investment-grade over junk-rated corporate issues.

Large-caps are getting a lot of attention and making a lot of headlines these days. And why wouldn’t they?

The demand for nuclear energy is continuing at a rapid pace, and more countries are becoming receptive to its use. This is evident in a declaration to triple nuclear energy by the year 2050.

Cryptocurrency investments have been among the top performers in 2023 and over the last ten years. However, the landscape could be changing in early 2024 with the potential approval of the first spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S.

What do ETF-oriented advisors need to understand about cryptocurrencies? What do crypto-oriented investors need to understand about ETFs? What role can this asset class play in a portfolio and what risks should be kept in mind? What questions should you be able to answer to support clients? How do futures-based products fit into the mix? We will cover these and more with industry experts.

Exchange is just a month away, so here are four big things to do in advance of a conference. These tips will help you optimize your conference experience.

Despite Costco’s initial success with gold, experts say purchasing the precious metal in physical form poses several potential issues for investors. As a result, ETFs may be a better choice.

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, has been on a scintillating run since the start of 2023. And more upside could be on the way. Market observers believe the approval of multiple U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs is imminent.

Will 2024 see AI continue to drive markets forward as forcefully as it did in 2023? That’s one of the big questions facing equity investors in a market shadowed by inflation and the lagging impact of high rates.

There was a lot of optimism just before the new year, but that may have already been priced into 2023’s gains for the S&P 500. January is historically a slow month for the index, which should be enough to appease the bears if that trend persists.

In what could be a long-term positive for cryptocurencies as an asset class, data indicates $2.25 billion in new capital flowed into institutional cryptocurrencies products in 2023. That marks the third-best year of inflows on record.

Many of us were prepping for year-end (or on vacation in Belize, in my case) in December. However, index providers were hard at work to ensure certain ETFs fully reflected the investment criteria advisors have come to expect.

The prevailing consensus in 2024 is that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. But predicting central bank moves is an inexact science. That said, fixed income investors could use the help of an active strategy to continue extracting higher yields.

Join VettaFi's Dave Nadig and Todd Rosenbluth for an Exchange orientation. Learn all about the benefits of attending the conference and how weeks and months’ worth of business can be condensed into a few short days in the beautiful Miami Beach sun. Sign up to learn more about Exchange 2024.

Every new year provides an opportunity for fresh starts and to reimagine what is possible. As such, we offer a list of four New Year’s resolutions for advisors. Kick your 2024 off right by making these promises to yourself.

Several strategists in the gold space expect the precious metal’s rally to continue in 2024. And some even believe it could outperform all other commodities this year.

In 2024, inflation, interest rates, and the presidential election will likely be on top of ETF investors’ minds. Here are four other lesser-known trends and insights — both positive and negative — to consider in 2024.

The ETF industry is buzzing as long-awaited spot bitcoin ETFs are likely to get the green light from the SEC in the coming days. We expect trading of multiple products to begin soon after.

With a new year brings a new chapter in the exciting growth of artificial intelligence. AI had a major breakout year in 2023 as OpenAI’s ChatGPT exploded into the public eye in the Spring.

Cryptocurrency is once again poised to be the financial story of the year. Accordingly, VettaFi will be hosting the Cryptocurrency Symposium on January 12th at 11 am ET.

After a year when advisors were relatively cautious about taking on credit risk, sentiment seems to be shifting.

2024 is here, and Exchange is right around the corner. Exchange has already established itself as the premier financial services conference and a must-attend event, but the 2024 edition promises to be the best yet.

U.S. equity markets defied expectations in 2023, with the S&P up 24% for the year. But while the stock market’s performance was good in 2023, it was especially good for large-cap tech stocks.

The stock market may have started 2024 down, but that doesn’t mean investors have to. Indeed, while the broader market whimpers amid soft China data and still-lingering fear of a slowdown, some areas see major opportunities.

The past year saw the ETF industry barrel past the previous record for the number of launches in a calendar year, with 543 new ETFs hitting the market. The previous record was just under 480 in 2021, meaning 2023 beat that number by more than 60 funds.

Semiconductors are the foundation upon which artificial intelligence (AI) thrives, but knowing that is only part of the battle. For investors using ETF to access chip stocks, some homework could pay dividends regarding identifying the chip ETFs with the most AI relevancy.

Confidence in the bond markets is fueling a two-month rally in prices as the capital markets brace for rate cuts in 2024. Whether they happen at a furious pace or not is anyone’s guess, but the expectation of cuts are providing enough spark for the rally.

Banks that rely heavily on lending products for revenue have been hit by higher interest rates. But capital markets expect rate cuts in 2024. That could give bullish vibes for regional banks.

In 2023, investing in growth was highly rewarding. We all heard about the Magnificent Seven Stocks that kept climbing higher throughout the year.

For the greater part of the year, large-cap stocks have been in pole position for most of the 2023 rally. But investors who want to add a dose of growth while maintaining large-cap stability may want to give midcap equities a closer look.

Aggregate bond benchmarks rebounded this year following some of the worst showings on record in 2022. With heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in 2024, fixed income enthusiasm is perking up.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) didn’t just capture the hearts and minds of scores of investors this year. It also popped on the radar screens of policymakers, both in the U.S. and abroad. From that, it can reasonably be inferred that artificial intelligence regulations could be front-and-center in 2024.

With 2024 just around the bend, fixed income exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are offering investors bright prospects for bond exposure in the new year and capital allocation is expected to increase.

2023 was a year of surprises. These are five key sector themes illustrated in charts that dominated the ETF world this past year.

A lot of different asset classes are currently being discussed as possible places to invest in 2024, but one that hasn’t garnered much attention is gold.

While 2022 was a brutal year for bonds, fixed income enjoyed many tailwinds this year, from high interest rates to lowered inflation to a less volatile economy. This made 2023 the year for fixed income. And in particular, it was a good year for Vanguard.

Broadly speaking, Chinese equities and the related exchange traded funds disappointed investors this year, but there’s a growing sense that 2024 could bring better things for this asset class.

The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for any profession, and for advisors it is no different. Business demands, family obligations, and heavy social calendars can make for an overwhelming time.

Markets had been living through an era of slow burn, low interest rate-boosted index funds for years until rapid rate hikes in 2022 and 2023.

Over the past month and the past 90 days, the Russell 2000 Index is higher by 12.07% and 8.49%, respectively. What’s notable about those periods is that they include increased chatter that the Federal Reserve could be positioning for multiple interest rate cuts in 2024.

In this article, we will explore how gold has performed throughout 2023 and share more information on what experts expect from gold in 2024.

It’s exciting times in the ETF industry. For example, we might be headed for a photo finish in the ETF leader board. As of December 15, two ETFs stood above the rest.

The first actively managed exchange traded funds came to market in 2008. But 2023 may be remembered as the year when the asset class matured, paving the way for broader long-term adoption.

High yield fixed income has always been considered a riskier investment relative to other bonds. But strong corporate fundamentals are making this asset class far less risky these days. And that makes so-called junk bonds currently a bit of a misnomer.

What was the biggest story in ETFs in 2023 for you? What has the potential to have a lasting impact on the industry? Or is there something you think was a flash in the pan?

The 60/40 portfolio composed of stocks and bonds, respectively, has somewhat fallen to the wayside in the past decade. But with optimism flooding the bond markets for 2024, it could make a comeback.

Earlier this year, many industry observers and investors were expecting an imminent slowdown with markets. But with rates coming back down and the risk outlook improving, the outlook on fixed income has improved.

This year proved a difficult one for bonds as the Federal Reserve aggressively hiked rates for much of the year. With the rate narrative changing moving into 2024, investors moved back into bonds in a big way beginning in October, including municipal bonds.

If the last year or two have taught investors anything, it’s that alts can play a big role in portfolios. As recently as 2022, bonds struggled amid significantly low interest rates, with their role as a contrast to stocks weakened.

While inflation isn’t yet at the 2% range that the Federal Reserve has been targeting, it’s getting there. At least, it’s getting close enough for it to ease up on the gas on raising interest rates. In fact, the Fed could pump the brakes next year.

With stocks racing to record highs, diminishing expectations of a recession, and hopes that the Federal Reserve could potentially reduce interest rates multiple times next year, risk appetite is being reborn. 

China stocks have been a source of frustration for investors this year. But there are expectations that situation will improve in 2024. The key is selectivity. That means market participants shouldn’t wager on uniformly stellar returns by China equities next year.

It’s been the year of active equity ETFs, the year of covered call ETFs, and a year when growth and quality has mattered most in the equity market. All of this is now clear from the year-to-date net inflows and fund performance records.

With 2023 drawing to a close, the time has come once again to take a longer look at what next year might bring.

With the final business of 2023 being wrapped up, the financial services community is starting to look forward to 2024. The first big event of the new year will be the Exchange 2024 conference.

Throughout most of the fourth quarter of 2023, physical gold has performed the best it has all year. According to Kitco in the last thirty days, the precious metal has seen its price increase by nearly $43.

The VettaFi Market Outlook Symposium brought together industry thought leaders and experts to help investors position for 2024.

During our Market Outlook Symposium, our panelists will offer their analysis and answers to those questions and the others that will determine whether your clients will reach their financial goals.

The growing narrative of artificial intelligence should continue as 2023 turns into 2024. One of the ongoing names to watch is chipmaker Nvidia, which should propel ETFs with exposure to the stock.

Bitcoin has pulled back over the past several days. But even with that retrenchment, the largest cryptocurrency is on pace for one of its best annual showings on record.

With Exchange 2024 less than three months away, I’ve started mapping out “the weird session” at the event: my 100-minute block on the “Silent Disco”-style stage.

If the artificial intelligence (AI) theme remains hot heading into 2024, this could help push the Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 1.5X Shares (NVDU) even higher in the new year as the chipmaker expands its market share.

Domestic aggregate bond strategies are on pace for decent showings this year. And there is mounting speculation that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next year, perhaps multiple times.

It’s the time of year when you look back at all that’s been accomplished. VettaFi’s covered strong net inflows into fixed income ETFs, covered call funds, and many, many, many new product launches. But VettaFi also accomplished a lot as a firm.

Following a tumultuous 2022, this year has been better, though not entirely sanguine for fixed income investors. 2024 is right around the corner, and expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are rising. Now is the ideal time for advisors to evaluate opportunities in the bond market.

It’s been a very good year for U.S. high yield. In fact, BondBloxx Investment Management has noted that riskier fixed income assets have outperformed U.S. Treasuries.

Bitcoin prices are near $44,000 and excitement is pouring into the space again. That’s largely due to the focus on the potential launch of spot bitcoin ETFs in January.

The Market Outlook Symposium is coming on December 14. The latest symposium from VettaFi will offer investors a deep and incisive look at how to position for 2024 and beyond. In today’s unusual market environment, this is a critical topic.

Jeremy Grantham will be a keynote speaker at Exchange, joining an exceptional roster of luminaries, thought leaders, and industry titans.

The winter holiday season is here, and I wanted to join in the festivities. Recently, advisors have become more comfortable turning to active ETFs to help them and their clients navigate the uncertain market environment. Actively managed ETFs have gained traction in 2023.

The capital markets are already pricing in rate cuts ahead of 2024, causing yields to fall. One way to continue supplementing income amid a potential drop in yields is to diversify income using a pair of active exchange-traded funds.

As of late Monday, bitcoin had surged nearly 14% over the past seven days. That’s exceeded 42% for the first time since May 2022.

In early October, gold was valued at around $1,820 according to Kitco. That is fairly close to its low for the calendar year. Its previous low came in late February, at $1,811.

A year ago, I’m pretty sure I had little idea what artificial intelligence (AI) was and what it could become. While there were a few related ETFs, AI was just another one of the long-term investment themes.

The recent rate pause by the Federal Reserve is bringing optimism to the capital markets that interest rates may finally head lower. In turn, it’s pushing yields down. Conversely, bond prices rallied in November, which should help bring investors back to the market.

The real world and the digital world are converging every day and becoming increasingly interconnected, and where the two intersect is described by some as “phygital.”

Among Asia’s major economies, China has long been the benchmark against which other countries’ growth is measured. India, currently the continent’s third-largest economy behind China and Japan, appears poised to take the baton of economic growth leadership.

Valuations for municipal bonds are very attractive right now. And as yields remain strong, so do their fundamentals.

November was kind to fixed income investors as bonds posted their best month of 2023. High yield corporate debt participated in that rally as highlighted by the fact that the largest junk bond exchange traded fund is higher by nearly 4.3% over the past month.

With more than 3,000 ETFs to cover and many new ones launching each month, it is easy to forget. For many people, S&P 500 Index-based ETFs remain the core of their portfolio. Heading into 2024, these products topped the latest monthly flow leaderboard.

Recent data point to a record shopping season for Shopify (SHOP), which saw Black Friday sales grow 22% y/y. Additional reports from Adobe Analytics show a strong $9.8 billion Black Friday season.

Even with $2.4 trillion in ETF assets spread across more than 400 ETFs, there’s a pending offering from BlackRock that caught my eye.

Tax-loss harvesting creates an opportunity every year for advisors to turn lemons into lemonade. Advisors can realize losses that their clients experienced during the year and use them to offset realized gains in other parts of their portfolio.

Many advisors and investors in 2023 have turned to fixed income ETFs with an average duration of less than one year. Taking on very little interest rate risk through duration has been rewarding as well.

After the underperformance of stocks and bonds last year, it’s no surprise that diversification strategies are a significant focus this year. Alternatives continue to garner advisor and investor interest as market dispersion grows, including managed futures and long/short strategies.

Collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, may be a way for advisors to enhance retail clients’ portfolios. They provide investors with access to a diverse pool of senior secured loans. While they have been primarily used by institutional clients to date, CLOs could enhance risk-adjusted returns for individual clients.

VettaFi is thrilled to announce that the ETF Express U.S. Distribution Awards will be part of Exchange in 2024. Exchange is just a few short months away. The financial services community will be gathered in Miami Beach February 11-14. Accordingly, Exchange is an ideal venue for the ETF Express awards.

The fourth quarter has seen a strong performance from gold. In early October, the price of gold stood at $1,820 per ounce, according to Kitco, and looked as if it would continue to drop in value as it had done the previous five months.

Real estate headlines seem to only focus on bad news right now, from remote work’s impact on offices to struggles for city center retail.

Broad commodities have struggled this year. The S&P GSCI Index is down more than 5% year-to-date. However, there are still opportunities when investors dig a little deeper, according to Teucrium’s Senior Portfolio Specialist Jake Hanley.

On November 28, 2023, VettaFi hosted an Alternatives Symposium with an excellent turnout of nearly 750 advisors and investors registered for the event.

Often misunderstood, crypto has an important role to play in the alternatives sleeve of a portfolio.

Commodities entered 2023 behind a strong performance in 2022. For investors revisiting their portfolios ahead of 2024, it may be worth assessing the commodities outlook. From energy to precious metals, commodities can add meaningful diversification to a portfolio.

Our speakers will identify the risks and opportunities in each product type, providing guidance on what to expect under different market conditions.

Don’t look now, but markets are once again getting excited about the prospect of potential rate cuts. Following months defined by rising rates, investors are looking forward to inflation cooling sufficiently for the Fed to finally cut.

While Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) may seem complex and daunting, it’s important to dive into their intricacies. After all, their current yields present an enticing opportunity and a compelling alternative to conventional Treasury bonds.

With equity markets open just a half day, the day after Thanksgiving is usually a noneventful day in financial markets. However, something notable did occur last Friday: Bitcoin jumped to its highest prices in 18 months.

VettaFi will be hosting an Alternatives Symposium tomorrow, November 28. We are covering a range of alternative topics.

This is an exciting time for artificial intelligence and robotics stocks, with many companies reporting and some major news announcements. This week, for the Disruptive Theme of the Week, I reached out to VettaFi’s Senior Research Analyst, Zeno Mercer, for an update on the latest developments in AI and robotics.

Exchange has assembled an impressive lineup of keynote speakers. The conference is just around the corner, with the financial services community gathering February 11-14 in Miami Beach. Here’s what to expect from the keynote speakers.

There are clear intersections between artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. But for some reason, the latter has been an afterthought as the former has flourished in 2023.

Fixed income ETF demand has been strong in 2023 led by Treasury ETFs. However, advisors have been rewarded by turning to alternatives in the fixed income space, such as those focused on the collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) market.

VettaFi CMO Jon Fee hosted Cole Feinberg, a BondBloxx partner, in an episode of “Road to Exchange.”

Year to date, the Russell 2000’s scant 1% gain is dwarfed by the S&P 500’s 18% gain. But that could be changing. After dominating much of 2023, large-caps could potentially step aside for small-caps to take the majority of gains.

The S&P 500 has rallied in recent days and was up close to 20% for the year. However, heading into 2024, many advisors are exploring a range of investment ideas that offer exposure beyond the stock market.

It might feel as though enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and the related investment theme has waned in recent months. Actually, the opposite is true.

Is the Federal Reserve nearing the end of its rate-hiking cycle? The U.S. central bank is giving investors mixed messages. The Fed has recently paused its rate hikes and said it would keep interest rates between 5.25% and 5.5%.

Using LOGICLY data, we look at two of Direxion’s leveraged gold miners ETFs and their key features.

Investing in the stock market typically brings to mind the strategy of buying low and selling high. However, there’s another, somewhat counterintuitive method some investors employ: short selling.

I find for many the same is true with ETFs and capital gains. However, the ETF pie continues to expand with newer investors each year. The persistent lack of a capital tax gain burden simply for holding onto an investment is worthy of celebration.

Though inflation continues to cool, there remains a potentially longer road ahead to get to the Fed’s desired 2%. In an environment of uncertainty and elevated inflation, the inclusion of managed futures in a portfolio made a significant difference in the last few years as modeled by DBi recently.

Exchange is thrilled to announce another incredible keynote speaker. DoubleLine Capital founder Jeffrey Gundlach will join an already impressive lineup of Exchange speakers.

As we approach the final months of 2023, consumer strength has been somewhat mixed but has overall been running out of steam due to stubbornly high grocery prices and higher housing costs. Interestingly, consumers continue to spend on experiences like concerts, movies, and restaurants.

Confounding market and economic signals persist as the year’s end draws near. In a year punctuated by heightened uncertainty as investors attempted to navigate a confluence of risk factors, stock and bond correlations proved a significant challenge to traditional portfolios.

Gold has a longstanding reputation as an asset that holds its value during inflationary times. It also offers diversification benefits that can be useful in such conditions.

With news that inflation cooled significantly in October, rate hikes from the Fed may now be over. Consumer prices were flat in October, rising just 3.2% from 2022. That rise came in even slower than the year-over-year rise measured in September.

Advisor Perspectives, the premier digital publisher for the financial advisory profession and a recent addition to the fast-growing VettaFi lineup of research and educational offerings, today announced that it has been ranked as the most-read electronic newsletter among financial advisors for the fifth year in a row by Erdos Media Research’s Financial Advisor Media Outlook and Usage Study (FAMOUS).

Investors starved for yield since the great financial crisis can now have it merely by holding cash reserves. At least for now (as of November 8), the U.S. three-month Treasury Bill was yielding 5.4%, up from 0.50% at the end of 2021 and 4.4% at the end of last year.

The recent pause in interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve could finally signal an end to monetary policy tightening. But fixed income investors can keep on reaching for high yield opportunities with a pair of active ETFs from American Century.

Third-quarter earnings announcements have almost come and gone, with yesterday being the last big burst of companies. Some key firms have yet to announce, like Nvidia and Walmart, but everything I’m seeing says it surpassed expectations.

As I write this, we’re just about three months out from kicking off Exchange 2024 in Miami, Florida. Obviously, I and the whole team here at VettaFi would love it if you came.

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s time again to consider tax-loss harvesting opportunities. So, it may be an opportune time for investors to consider where they can best capture potential tax benefits.

With 10-year Treasury yields having retreated noticeably in recent weeks, there’s a sense that things could be turning for the better in the bond market. Should that sentiment prove accurate, it could invite renewed risk appetite in select corners of the fixed income space.

VettaFi’s Alternatives Symposium is set for Tuesday, November 28. VettaFi has been holding monthly symposiums that have become the go-to destination for advisors looking to get the best thought leadership on the market.

The quality of financial advice on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok is up for debate. But it’s not debatable that many younger investors turn to those platforms for investing advice. They also use those platforms to voice their opinions on specific stocks.

With less than two months left in 2023, this maybe another disappointing year for broad-based ex-US developed market equity funds. This includes a slew of passive exchange traded funds.

New investors are overwhelmingly choosing ETFs as their investment vehicle of choice. Between June 13 and June 28, Charles Schwab conducted a comprehensive survey of 2,200 investors for its 2023 ETFs and Beyond Study.

One of the most frequently mentioned criticisms of Bitcoin mining is that it’s energy-intensive. Making that matter worse is that the industry is a massive consumer of fossil fuels, arguably inviting that criticism.

Rising interest rates and inflation have kept emerging markets (EM) bulls from charging. But an improving macroeconomic environment could potentially be underway after the Federal Reserve’s recent rate pause.

For this edition of Bull vs. Bear, Nick Peters-Golden and James Comtois debate whether this is truly the year active ETFs turned pretty.

In this article, using data from LOGICLY, we will look at some of VanEck’s gold-related ETFs to see how the fund’s performance benefitted from the recent rally and look at how the funds have performed against the S&P 500 in the short-term and long-term.

Geopolitical factors and higher-for-longer interest rates have taken the steam out of 2023’s equities rally the past few months. But the recent rate pause could clear the path for gains in the S&P 500 for the remainder of the year.

Are interest rates finally taking their bite out of the economy? Friday’s news that hiring had slowed certainly adds to the case. Markets have anticipated a slowdown and the impact of rate hikes for months now.

Pay enough attention to small-cap stocks and ETFs as of late and it’s easier for even novice investors to identify at least two prominent points.

Interest rates have been rising and yields have followed the same path. So traders bullish on bonds have essentially been seeing a repeat of 2022’s weakness. However, the recent pause in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve could bring more bulls back.

Given the response from China’s highest leadership levels, a fast recovery is preferable. The second largest economy will have to do this without a heavy influx of financial aid from the government. It would have to rely on measured steps in policy adjustments.

Amid soaring interest rates in the U.S., third-quarter issuance of ESG, sustainability, and related debt declined. But annual issuance of such debt is poised to be elevated — a theme that could carry over into 2024.

Advisors face a number of challenges in current markets, given risks and stock and bond correlations. They must grapple with how to invest smartly as well as keeping their clients invested in the traditional 60/40 portfolio.

Tesla’s stock has fallen 20% the past month as bears continue to apply pressure following the electric automaker’s Q3 earnings report. A Tesla turnaround or more selling will provide enough volatility for traders unsure of which side to take, which is where leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can help.

More investors are turning to active management for their fixed income exposure. In a poll conducted by VettaFi, a third of respondents have more than half of their fixed income exposure tied to active management.

It has been several weeks since ether futures ETFs have launched with little fanfare in early October. But since then, the crypto ETF market has seen several significant events which has caused the price of bitcoin to rise to near $35,000.

Amid hopes that a spot bitcoin exchange traded fund or multiple versions of that product will soon debut in the U.S., the digital currency is on a torrid pace in 2023.

Ultimately, October was a positive month in several different areas for the precious metal. It saw an increase in not only its price but also investor engagement on VettaFi digital properties. On top of that, a pair of gold miner ETFs saw a bump in their performance.

It all starts with the firm’s flagship ETF, the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB). The fund is designed to capture the growth opportunity in China. The concentrated thematic China ETF has a 10-year track record — and it’s volatile.

Exchange is delighted to announce that Dr. David Kelly will return to the stage as a keynote speaker at Exchange 2024. As the Chief Global Strategist and Head of the Global Market Insights Strategy team for J.P. Morgan Asset Management, he has decades of industry experience.

It’s been a great year for alternative income strategies as inflation, interest rate, and recession risk fears dominated markets. Garrett Paolella of NEOS and Christian Magoon of Amplify ETFs joined VettaFi’s Tom Lydon to discuss alternative income opportunities at the Income Strategy Symposium hosted by VettaFi on October 27.

Advisors plan to allocate more to fixed income ETFs as 2024 approaches. In a poll conducted by VettaFi, attendees were asked what bond changes they were considering heading into year-end. And 60% of respondents said they plan to add to fixed income ETF exposure using proceeds from cash and/or equities.

Active ETFs have been recently gaining momentum among investors as market conditions shift to serve active management. But when it comes to active or passive investing, it shouldn’t be an either/or proposition.

The renewed opportunity set in fixed income is enabling investors to achieve attractive returns while taking on less risk.

Over the past seven days, bitcoin has surged more than 20%. That’s a bull market unto itself. It’s also one fueled by speculation that the SEC will soon approve ETFs with spot bitcoin exposure.

Sugar prices continue their upward journey to new highs, but that shouldn’t prevent consumers from curbing their Halloween spending. From an investment standpoint, getting exposure to rising sugar prices amid inflationary pressures is an ideal move.

On October 27, 2023, VettaFi hosted an Income Strategy Symposium that saw nearly 900 advisors and investors register for the event. The symposium was a success for everyone involved, and included some of the top firms and individuals in the industry offering their insights into several different income-related topics.

With 10-year Treasury yields hovering around 4.84%, the flirtation with 5% is ongoing and dangerous, spooking many fixed income investors in the process.

VettaFi hosted an Income Strategy Symposium that saw nearly 900 advisors and investors register for the event. The symposium was a success for everyone involved and included some of the top firms and individuals in the industry offering their insights into several different income-related topics.

While environmental, social, and governance criticism remains elevated (and loud) and interest rates are affecting the performance of the related equities and exchange traded funds, ESG-committed investors can find relief on multiple fronts.

Despite some signs of slowdown in the economy, the biggest stories in the market still revolve around big tech earnings and artificial intelligence.

Rising yields have undoubtedly done a number on bond prices, but they open up bearish opportunities in certain inverse leverage exchange traded funds (ETFs).

Over the past seven days, bitcoin has surged more than 20%. That’s a bull market unto itself. It’s also one fueled by speculation that the SEC will soon approve ETFs with spot bitcoin exposure.

The fixed income market has rapidly evolved in 2023. After a series of rate hikes, there's income in a wide range of bond strategies to consider. But there's also uncertainty about what's next.

Ethereum serves as the platform for transactions conducted in the digital currency known as ether. It is widely known as the second-largest crypto asset behind Bitcoin.

Earlier this October, VettaFi announced that the Susan G. Komen Foundation would be the cause of the month. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. VettaFi is pleased to announce that it will be taking its support to the next level.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has seen strong net inflows in 2023 into its broad market equity ETFs and its income ETFs. Today, the firm expanded its exchange traded fund lineup to include two equity income ETFs.

For the 90 days ending October. 20, the S&P 500 Energy Index jumped 6.1%, while the broader S&P 500 slumped nearly 7%. Due in part to geopolitical concerns, oil prices are trending higher, providing support to the energy equity thesis.

In the past week, the price of physical gold has continued to rise. According to Kitco, on October 16, 2023, the price of gold was valued at around $1,922 an ounce, and it began Monday morning just above $1,970.

High-interest rates are keeping the residential real estate market in flux. This is due to borrowing costs making prospective buyers and even sellers think twice.

We are focusing a lot of attention on fixed income at VettaFi in October. This week, we are hosting webcasts with AllianceBernstein and State Street Global Advisors.

In the month of October, gold’s price began to trend upward. This jump in the price of the precious metal comes after consecutive drops in its value since May.

Big tech has obviously been a major mover for the stock market in 2023. With third quarter earnings forthcoming, there should be plenty of opportunities for broad-based ETF as well as single-stock ETF plays.

Some investors are rightfully pensive about employing a buy-and-hold approach when it comes to cryptocurrencies. Even when it comes to the largest members of the asset class, bitcoin and Ethereum.

The communications sector has been one of the best-performing sectors of the year, benefiting from both the tech boost and in certain areas, from consumer spending on services versus goods.

ESG isn’t a new concept. In recent years, it’s gained more attention and assets thanks partly to the proliferation of related ETFs.

The debate between active and passive management has been going on for years. And while active management has faced headwinds over the past decade or so, it’s starting to reclaim dominance over passive.

Active ETFs have gained in popularity in recent years. However, some pundits have prematurely taken out their shovels for some funds. Even as these products show signs of vitality.

Homeowners, drivers and other individuals in the marketplace for insurance, have a host of factors to consider to make sure they are appropriately covered in the event of a death, accident, or other untimely event, advisors shared in interviews with VettaFi.

When it comes to processing power for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, speed is essential, but chipmaker Nvidia also wants to be first in terms of manufacturing.

It may not be new, but one of the best modern-day examples of disruptive technology is the smartphone. It is a technology that has radically disrupted human behavior and changed how we live our daily lives.

The third largest ETF recently reached the age of 13. Yes, the Vanguard 500 ETF (VOO) is now Taylor Swift’s lucky number. (Am I one of the first people to use Ms. Swift and Vanguard ETFs in the same sentence?)

Are markets actually set for a recession? That was the narrative that dominated entering 2023, but with just several weeks left, it hasn’t materialized.

A recent surge in bankruptcies and defaults by high-yield issuers is unnerving some fixed income investors. Bond investors, particularly those seeking elevated levels of income, are rightfully jittery.

Muni bond ETFs gathered $6.3 billion in the first nine months of 2023. However, a healthy $1.4 billion flowed in during September alone. According to Columbia Threadneedle, there is good reason to focus on the asset category.

To succeed, every advisor needs to grow. This growth must not be limited to the size of their practice either. Advisors need to grow their talents and their knowledge, and must always be developing their skill set.

In a year in which active strategies have done so well via allocator interest, as well as with their own returns, an active ETF could make a very good addition.

A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in debt securities, specifically those characterized by short maturities and minimal credit risk. A money market fund generates income with little to no capital appreciation, making it a low-risk, low-return investment.

With oil prices trending higher, among other factors, market participants are bracing for a renewed round of elevated inflation. That could stoke renewed interest in traditional inflation-fighting asset classes, but investors may not want to overlook the ability of Bitcoin to act as inflation protection.

Even prior to this week’s spike in oil prices associated with renewed tensions in the Middle East, last week was ramping up to be a big week for electric vehicles (EVs) and their supply chain.

The higher-for-longer interest rates narrative could continue to negatively affect small-cap companies. This is because they look to stay afloat in the current macroeconomic environment.

Is now the time to add an active foreign equities allocation? Investors have likely already considered a case to diversify domestic-heavy portfolios with international equities.

Among U.S.-based original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has a sizable, significantly profitable lead over the “big three” in the electric vehicle space, but on a global basis, the industry is evolving and close to a major inflection point.

However, $22 billion moved into fundamentally weighted equity index ETFs, while dividend and momentum ETFs had outflows. This is sizable and warrants some added attention.

The first nine months of 2023 have seen significant growth. Despite this growth, questions remain. Income is top of mind as many investors worry about the potential of a recession, the ongoing high-rate environment, and market uncertainty. Enter the Income Strategy symposium.