Join the experts at VettaFi and Innovator ETFs for a webcast diving into the market risks, portfolio strategies, and potential rewards awaiting saavy investors in 2024.
In today’s market environment, generating income remains top of mind for many investors. As we enter 2024, it’s important to stay ahead of the latest high dividend ETFs, portfolio construction techniques, and systematic strategies. High dividend ETFs are gaining interest among investors, but many remain unaware of their alpha potential and pitfalls to avoid, which is why we’re inviting you to join VettaFi and Geoff Kelley with Manulife Investment Management for a 30-minute LiveCast focused on income generation.
Not all strategies are created equally in this growing segment of the ETF market, which is why we invite you to join the experts at VettaFi and pioneers in the options-based ETF space from NEOS Investments for an income-focused webcast.
In this webinar, we are bringing three experienced portfolio managers who lead CGCP — Capital Group Core Plus Income ETF, CGMU — Capital Group Municipal Income ETF and CGDV — Capital Group Dividend Value ETF to talk about how these ETFs can pursue a strong core for client portfolios.
Bitcoin climbed back above $38,000 on Tuesday amid optimism the US central bank may be closer to lowering borrowing costs if inflation continues to decline.
It’s the latest critique of the passive-investing boom: Fresh academic research claims that the relentless flood of index-chasing cash on Wall Street is distorting stock prices and causing extreme market moves.
While equity styles go in and out of favor, quality companies continue to serve clients as a core holding, resilient to economic headwinds and market drawdowns. For long-term investors searching for a durable equity solution, we believe quality is “the real McCoy"
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.
Economic pain is likely in 2024, but that doesn’t mean stocks will struggle all year, especially if there is a continuation of the rolling recessions that have hit the economy.
What were the big ETF trends of 2023? David Mann, Global Head of ETF Product & Capital Markets, reviews some of his predictions for this year—and how they panned out.
Gas prices fell for a tenth straight week, the longest streak since the summer of 2022. As of November 27, the price of regular and premium gas each fell by 5 cents from the previous week. The WTIC end-of-day spot price for crude oil closed at $74.86, down 3.8% from last week.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index® bounced back in November following three straight monthly declines. The index increased to 102.0 from October's downwardly revised reading of 99.1. This month's reading was better than expected, exceeding the 101.0 forecast.
The rally that led the S&P 500 to one of its best November gains in a century is now running out of steam, according to Citigroup Inc. strategists.
Home prices continued to trend upwards in September as the benchmark 20-city index rose for a eighth consecutive month. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index revealed seasonally adjusted home prices for the 20-city index saw a 0.7% increase month-over-month (MoM) and a 3.9% increase year-over-year (YoY). After adjusting for inflation, the MoM was reduced to 0.1% and the YoY was reduced to -2.9%.
If investors needed another sign the heyday for meme stocks has passed, an exchange-traded fund designed to ride the pandemic-era rise of retail traders is shuttering after just two years.
Brooks Friederich is a little-known figure in the world of investment advisory, even among the Wall Street cognoscenti. Yet every year, the 39-year-old — and his Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based employer Envestnet — helps steer billions of dollars into tailor-made strategies for financial advisers, part of what’s known as the model-portfolio boom.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) house price index (HPI) continued to increase in September, coming in at 414.8. U.S. house prices increased by 0.6% from the previous month and by 6.1% from one year ago. After adjusting for inflation, the real index is up 0.4% month-over-month and up 4.0% year-over-year.
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.
Five of the eight indexes on our world watch list posted gains through November 27, 2023. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 finished in the top spot with a YTD gain of 28.18%. The U.S.'s S&P 500 finished in second with a YTD gain of 18.99% while France's CAC 40 finished in third with a YTD gain of 9.69%.
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.
The October release for new home sales from the Census Bureau came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 679,000 units. New home sales were down 5.6% month-over-month from a revised rate of 719,000 in September and up 17.7% from one year ago. The median home price is now at $409,300, down 3.0% from September after adjusting for inflation.
Reeling from a bear market last year, beaten-up investors decided to send more than $60 billion to exchange-traded funds focusing on dividends.
As I wrote this blog, the S&P 500 index is up roughly 17% year-to-date. Most likely, your portfolio isn’t. This is a common frustration among many investors in the market this year in particular.
The 2023 holiday season is officially upon us. Happy Black Friday and Cyber Monday to those who observe!
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.
It’s the major casualty of November’s sizzling stock rally: Investor caution.
While Cathie Wood has been touting her bullish stance on Bitcoin in recent months, her firm ARK Investment Management actually cut holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust.
Growth prospects for renewable energy will be a central plank of discussions when world leaders start gathering next week in Dubai for COP28.
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.
CIO designate Sean Taylor gives his take on what Asia has to offer global and emerging markets investors, from growth, to diversification, to innovation.
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.
Former Bridgewater Associates LP executive Bob Elliott’s plan for exchange-traded funds that employ hedge fund strategies has sharpened the debate about whether retail investors should have access to such approaches.
News that a Washington DC Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Grayscale Investments LLC over the Securities and Exchange Commission has ignited hope that a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund will soon be available. Bitcoin prices jumped.
Should the US Securities and Exchange Commission approve an exchange-traded fund focused on the spot market for Bitcoin? The question has yet again gained relevance, thanks to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, which last week reversed the SEC’s decision to reject a Bitcoin ETF proposed by Grayscale Investments.
VettaFi CMO Jon Fee hosted Cole Feinberg, a BondBloxx partner, in an episode of “Road to Exchange.”
Taxes can have a significant and ongoing impact on an investment portfolio. Advisors can help their clients minimize that impact with a tax-smart approach. Advisors can prepare for capital gains season now, and potentially maximize their clients’ after-tax returns.
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.
Reasons prompting concern around investing in China may be improving, but volatility is likely to remain characteristic of Chinese stocks in 2024.
Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment Management and digital-asset firm 21Shares just became the first major applicant in the US spot Bitcoin ETF race to list a fee on their planned offering.
Existing home sales fell further, remaining at their lowest level since 2010, as lack of inventory and high mortgage rates continued to impact sales. According to the data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales fell 4.1% from September to reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.79 million units. This figure came in lower than the expected 3.90 million. Existing home sales are down 14.6% compared to one year ago.
The Age of AI (And Our Human Future), by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher, is keenly relevant.
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.
Dina Ting, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, sheds light on the benefits of single-country ETF allocations against what has been a rocky macro backdrop and discusses ways to re-evaluate potential opportunities in terms of tax-loss decision-making.
Today's uncertain economic climate is putting particular pressure on four market segments. Here's what to watch out for in the months ahead.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, Tom Lydon discussed the Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” The pair talked about several topics regarding the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
For the better part of two years, investors have been primed with hope of a “Fed pivot” that will presumably restore easy monetary policy and supportive conditions for the financial markets.
The yield on the 10-year note ended November 17, 2023 at 4.44%, the 2-year note ended at 4.88%, and the 30-year at 4.59%.
Picking the “right” stock is akin to betting on a game; not only must one pick the right team (beta), but also by how much (alpha).
The powerful rally in small-cap stocks looks like yet another false start rather than a lasting recovery.
It’s touted as crypto’s big breakthrough on Wall Street: The imminent arrival of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds that will kick open digital-currency investing to the institutional and retail masses.
Following the surge in inflation, the most aggressive Fed tightening cycle since the 1980s and multi-decade lows in business and consumer confidence, calls for a U.S. recession have been prevalent all year.
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.
A burst of activity in Bitcoin derivatives has evoked memories of the period in late 2021 when the token surged to an all-time high.
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.
The run-off election looks tight in Argentina, where I’m attending a Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) event in Buenos Aires.
At first blush, a record $100 billion flood into actively managed exchange-traded funds this year raises a tantalizing prospect: A revival of stock picking even as only Big Tech names outperform the market. Yet, a look under the hood of popular ETFs shows the boom is almost entirely taking place in passive-looking trades.
In October, housing starts rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.372 million, surpassing the forecasted 1.345 million. This marks a 1.9% increase from September and a 4.2% decline compared to one year ago.
Investors were given plenty of opportunities to fret about the outlook for technology giants this earnings season. Instead, they doubled down on a strategy that has worked all year: piling into the biggest stocks
In October, building permits reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.487 million, surpassing the forecasted 1.450 million. This marks a 1.1% increase from September and a 4.4% decline compared to one year ago.
A movie that I’m quite fond of is 25th Hour, a Spike Lee joint about three friends in post-9/11 New York City. One of them, played by Barry Pepper, is a bond trader.
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.
In October, nominal home values increased for a 7th straight months while "real" home values fell for a 2nd straight month. Last month's ZHVI came in at $346,653, up 0.26% from the previous month and up 1.75% from one year ago. However, after adjusting for inflation, the real figures are -0.14% month-over-month and -4.77% year-over-year.
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).
High mortgage rates continue to impact builder confidence as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) fell for a fourth consecutive month. With that said, recent macroeconomic data suggest improved conditions in the coming months. The index dropped 6 points from last month to 34, the index's lowest level since December 2022.
Bitcoin was in sight of $38,000, a level last seen in May 2022, amid an ongoing rally spurred by expectations of fresh demand for the token from exchange-traded funds.
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.
Month-over-month nominal retail sales in October were down 0.1% and up 2.48% year-over-year. However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were down 0.2% MoM and down 0.73% year-over-year.
Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas goes around the world of ETFs, highlighting the industry's top stories, key trends, and future opportunities. VettaFi's Zeno Mercer offers the current state of play in artificial intelligence and ETFs investing in the space.
Professional traders entered November wagering Jerome Powell’s campaign to tame inflation was a long way from being won. Now they’re being forced into risky bets that the battle is over.
For Meta Platforms Inc. bulls, the biggest one-day stock wipeout in history is a fading sight in the rear-view mirror.
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for October revealed a 0.1% decrease in headline sales compared to September, marking the first month consumers have pulled back their spending since March. The latest figure was less than the anticipated 0.3% monthly decline. Core sales (ex Autos) beat expectations by increasing 0.1% in October compared to the expected 0.2% decline.
Wholesale inflation rose less than expected in October as producer price growth slowed for the first time in four months. The producer price index for final demand was down 0.5% month-over-month (s.a.). On an annual basis, headline PPI decelerated from 2.2% in September to 1.3% in October.
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.
Like some advances earlier this year, the market's current surge hasn't been defined by strong breadth underneath the surface—which will be key for a sustained, durable advance.
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.
The price of gold just had its best October in nearly half a century, defying tough resistance from surging Treasury yields and a strong U.S. dollar. The yellow metal rallied an incredible 7.3% last month to close at $1,983 an ounce, its strongest October since 1978, when it jumped 11.7%.
The headline number for the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 90.7 in October, as small business owners continued to not feel optimistic about current business conditions. The latest reading was better than the forecast of 90.5 but marked the 22nd straight month the index has been below the series average of 98.1.
Exchange-Traded Products
2024 Investment Outlook: Stay on Pause
Join the experts at VettaFi and Innovator ETFs for a webcast diving into the market risks, portfolio strategies, and potential rewards awaiting saavy investors in 2024.
LiveCast: Enhancing the High Dividend Portfolio
In today’s market environment, generating income remains top of mind for many investors. As we enter 2024, it’s important to stay ahead of the latest high dividend ETFs, portfolio construction techniques, and systematic strategies. High dividend ETFs are gaining interest among investors, but many remain unaware of their alpha potential and pitfalls to avoid, which is why we’re inviting you to join VettaFi and Geoff Kelley with Manulife Investment Management for a 30-minute LiveCast focused on income generation.
Positioning income portfolios for success in 2024
Not all strategies are created equally in this growing segment of the ETF market, which is why we invite you to join the experts at VettaFi and pioneers in the options-based ETF space from NEOS Investments for an income-focused webcast.
Active ETFs Have Dominated 2023. Will that Continue in 2024?
In this webinar, we are bringing three experienced portfolio managers who lead CGCP — Capital Group Core Plus Income ETF, CGMU — Capital Group Municipal Income ETF and CGDV — Capital Group Dividend Value ETF to talk about how these ETFs can pursue a strong core for client portfolios.
Bitcoin Retakes $38,000 While Rate Cut Expectations Increase
Bitcoin climbed back above $38,000 on Tuesday amid optimism the US central bank may be closer to lowering borrowing costs if inflation continues to decline.
The $7 Trillion ETF Boom Gets Blamed Again for Dumb Stock Moves
It’s the latest critique of the passive-investing boom: Fresh academic research claims that the relentless flood of index-chasing cash on Wall Street is distorting stock prices and causing extreme market moves.
Quality: The Real McCoy
While equity styles go in and out of favor, quality companies continue to serve clients as a core holding, resilient to economic headwinds and market drawdowns. For long-term investors searching for a durable equity solution, we believe quality is “the real McCoy"
Industry Experts Share Upbeat Crypto Outlook for 2024
Often misunderstood, crypto has an important role to play in the alternatives sleeve of a portfolio.
The Commodities Outlook Entering 2024
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.
U.S. Outlook: One Thing Leads to Another
Economic pain is likely in 2024, but that doesn’t mean stocks will struggle all year, especially if there is a continuation of the rolling recessions that have hit the economy.
Year in Review: 2023 ETF Predictions Report Card
What were the big ETF trends of 2023? David Mann, Global Head of ETF Product & Capital Markets, reviews some of his predictions for this year—and how they panned out.
Gasoline Prices Fall for 10th Straight Week
Gas prices fell for a tenth straight week, the longest streak since the summer of 2022. As of November 27, the price of regular and premium gas each fell by 5 cents from the previous week. The WTIC end-of-day spot price for crude oil closed at $74.86, down 3.8% from last week.
Consumer Confidence Bounces Back After Three Straight Monthly Declines
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index® bounced back in November following three straight monthly declines. The index increased to 102.0 from October's downwardly revised reading of 99.1. This month's reading was better than expected, exceeding the 101.0 forecast.
Sharp US Stock Rally Is Running Out of Steam, Citi Strategists Say
The rally that led the S&P 500 to one of its best November gains in a century is now running out of steam, according to Citigroup Inc. strategists.
S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Continues to Trend Upward in September
Home prices continued to trend upwards in September as the benchmark 20-city index rose for a eighth consecutive month. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index revealed seasonally adjusted home prices for the 20-city index saw a 0.7% increase month-over-month (MoM) and a 3.9% increase year-over-year (YoY). After adjusting for inflation, the MoM was reduced to 0.1% and the YoY was reduced to -2.9%.
Meme-Stock ETF Shuts After Failing to Attract Day Traders
If investors needed another sign the heyday for meme stocks has passed, an exchange-traded fund designed to ride the pandemic-era rise of retail traders is shuttering after just two years.
Wall Street’s $300 Billion Middleman Rides Model-Portfolio Boom
Brooks Friederich is a little-known figure in the world of investment advisory, even among the Wall Street cognoscenti. Yet every year, the 39-year-old — and his Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based employer Envestnet — helps steer billions of dollars into tailor-made strategies for financial advisers, part of what’s known as the model-portfolio boom.
FHFA House Price Index Increases 0.6% in September
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) house price index (HPI) continued to increase in September, coming in at 414.8. U.S. house prices increased by 0.6% from the previous month and by 6.1% from one year ago. After adjusting for inflation, the real index is up 0.4% month-over-month and up 4.0% year-over-year.
Eye Active ETFs to Ride Potential Rate Cuts
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.
Diving Into the Intricacies of TIPS
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.
World Markets Watchlist: November 27, 2023
Five of the eight indexes on our world watch list posted gains through November 27, 2023. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 finished in the top spot with a YTD gain of 28.18%. The U.S.'s S&P 500 finished in second with a YTD gain of 18.99% while France's CAC 40 finished in third with a YTD gain of 9.69%.
Bitcoin Price Action Indicates More Upside Could Soon Arrive
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.
Commodities and Cryptocurrency Offer an Alternative
VettaFi will be hosting an Alternatives Symposium tomorrow, November 28. We are covering a range of alternative topics.
New Home Sales Fall More Than Expected in October
The October release for new home sales from the Census Bureau came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 679,000 units. New home sales were down 5.6% month-over-month from a revised rate of 719,000 in September and up 17.7% from one year ago. The median home price is now at $409,300, down 3.0% from September after adjusting for inflation.
Billions Wiped Out as Stock-Safety Trade on Wall Street Misfires
Reeling from a bear market last year, beaten-up investors decided to send more than $60 billion to exchange-traded funds focusing on dividends.
S&P 500 Market Returns And Why Your Performance Is Worse
As I wrote this blog, the S&P 500 index is up roughly 17% year-to-date. Most likely, your portfolio isn’t. This is a common frustration among many investors in the market this year in particular.
The Rise in Gold, Silver and Bitcoin Prices Captures the Mood of the 2023 Holiday Season
The 2023 holiday season is officially upon us. Happy Black Friday and Cyber Monday to those who observe!
Disruptive Tech Theme of the Week: Zeno Mercer Talks AI and Robotics
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 2024 Keynote Lineup Showcases Breadth of Expertise
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.
Wall Street Throws Caution to the Wind to Keep Up With Stock Rally
It’s the major casualty of November’s sizzling stock rally: Investor caution.
Cathie Wood’s Ark Pares Holdings of Top Pick Bitcoin Trust
While Cathie Wood has been touting her bullish stance on Bitcoin in recent months, her firm ARK Investment Management actually cut holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust.
Climate Funds Look to Regain Footing After Three Down Years
Growth prospects for renewable energy will be a central plank of discussions when world leaders start gathering next week in Dubai for COP28.
AI Could Be Catalyst for Cloud Computing Stocks, ETFs
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.
Why Asia Matters
CIO designate Sean Taylor gives his take on what Asia has to offer global and emerging markets investors, from growth, to diversification, to innovation.
How CLOs Can Provide an Alternative to Traditional Bond ETFs
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.
Is a Hedge Fund-Style Investment Right for You?
Former Bridgewater Associates LP executive Bob Elliott’s plan for exchange-traded funds that employ hedge fund strategies has sharpened the debate about whether retail investors should have access to such approaches.
Grayscale’s Bitcoin Win Is Still Only Half the Battle
News that a Washington DC Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Grayscale Investments LLC over the Securities and Exchange Commission has ignited hope that a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund will soon be available. Bitcoin prices jumped.
Who Needs a Bitcoin ETF? Actually, the SEC Does
Should the US Securities and Exchange Commission approve an exchange-traded fund focused on the spot market for Bitcoin? The question has yet again gained relevance, thanks to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, which last week reversed the SEC’s decision to reject a Bitcoin ETF proposed by Grayscale Investments.
Why BondBloxx is on the “Road to Exchange”
VettaFi CMO Jon Fee hosted Cole Feinberg, a BondBloxx partner, in an episode of “Road to Exchange.”
The 4 A’s of Preparing for Capital Gains Season
Taxes can have a significant and ongoing impact on an investment portfolio. Advisors can help their clients minimize that impact with a tax-smart approach. Advisors can prepare for capital gains season now, and potentially maximize their clients’ after-tax returns.
After Large-Caps Dominance, It Could Be Small Cap’s Turn
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.
Is China Investable?
Reasons prompting concern around investing in China may be improving, but volatility is likely to remain characteristic of Chinese stocks in 2024.
Wood’s Ark, 21Shares Unveil Fee on Pending Spot Bitcoin ETF
Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment Management and digital-asset firm 21Shares just became the first major applicant in the US spot Bitcoin ETF race to list a fee on their planned offering.
Existing Home Sales Fall Further, Still at Lowest Level Since 2010
Existing home sales fell further, remaining at their lowest level since 2010, as lack of inventory and high mortgage rates continued to impact sales. According to the data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales fell 4.1% from September to reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.79 million units. This figure came in lower than the expected 3.90 million. Existing home sales are down 14.6% compared to one year ago.
Henry Kissinger on the Promise and Threats of AI
The Age of AI (And Our Human Future), by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher, is keenly relevant.
Chart of the Week: What Alternatives Are Worthy of Attention?
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.
Artificial Intelligence Still Generating Plenty of Buzz
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.
Using Single-Country ETFS as Part of a Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategy
Dina Ting, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, sheds light on the benefits of single-country ETF allocations against what has been a rocky macro backdrop and discusses ways to re-evaluate potential opportunities in terms of tax-loss decision-making.
4 Weak Spots in the Current Market
Today's uncertain economic climate is putting particular pressure on four market segments. Here's what to watch out for in the months ahead.
Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, Tom Lydon discussed the Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” The pair talked about several topics regarding the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
Soft Selling a Hard Landing
For the better part of two years, investors have been primed with hope of a “Fed pivot” that will presumably restore easy monetary policy and supportive conditions for the financial markets.
Treasury Yields Snapshot: November 17, 2023
The yield on the 10-year note ended November 17, 2023 at 4.44%, the 2-year note ended at 4.88%, and the 30-year at 4.59%.
The New “New” Alpha
Picking the “right” stock is akin to betting on a game; not only must one pick the right team (beta), but also by how much (alpha).
Lasting Recovery in Small Caps Still Elusive as Debt Costs Bite
The powerful rally in small-cap stocks looks like yet another false start rather than a lasting recovery.
Bitcoin ETF Hype Has Wall Street Eyeing $100 Billion Crypto Potential
It’s touted as crypto’s big breakthrough on Wall Street: The imminent arrival of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds that will kick open digital-currency investing to the institutional and retail masses.
5 Financial-Related Dynamics We’re Grateful For
Following the surge in inflation, the most aggressive Fed tightening cycle since the 1980s and multi-decade lows in business and consumer confidence, calls for a U.S. recession have been prevalent all year.
Are Rate Hikes in the Past? The Fed’s Giving Mixed Messages
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%.
Gaining Global Exposure to Gold Miners
Using LOGICLY data, we look at two of Direxion’s leveraged gold miners ETFs and their key features.
The Basics of Short Selling
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.
Echoes of Bitcoin’s 2021 Record Run Emerge in the Derivatives Market
A burst of activity in Bitcoin derivatives has evoked memories of the period in late 2021 when the token surged to an all-time high.
Loyal ETF Investors Rewarded With No Tax Bills
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.
Modeling the Benefits of Managed Futures Portfolio Inclusion
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 Announces Jeffrey Gundlach as Keynote Speaker
Exchange is thrilled to announce another incredible keynote speaker. DoubleLine Capital founder Jeffrey Gundlach will join an already impressive lineup of Exchange speakers.
A Time of Gratitude and Opportunity
The run-off election looks tight in Argentina, where I’m attending a Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) event in Buenos Aires.
A $100 Billion ETF Flood Offers Little Solace to Active Managers
At first blush, a record $100 billion flood into actively managed exchange-traded funds this year raises a tantalizing prospect: A revival of stock picking even as only Big Tech names outperform the market. Yet, a look under the hood of popular ETFs shows the boom is almost entirely taking place in passive-looking trades.
Housing Starts Rise 1.9% in October
In October, housing starts rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.372 million, surpassing the forecasted 1.345 million. This marks a 1.9% increase from September and a 4.2% decline compared to one year ago.
Big Tech’s $2 Trillion Rally Saves Nasdaq From Correction
Investors were given plenty of opportunities to fret about the outlook for technology giants this earnings season. Instead, they doubled down on a strategy that has worked all year: piling into the biggest stocks
Building Permits Increase 1.1% in October
In October, building permits reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.487 million, surpassing the forecasted 1.450 million. This marks a 1.1% increase from September and a 4.4% decline compared to one year ago.
25th Hour
A movie that I’m quite fond of is 25th Hour, a Spike Lee joint about three friends in post-9/11 New York City. One of them, played by Barry Pepper, is a bond trader.
E-commerce Counting on Discounts for Remainder of 2023
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.
The Problem of Mixed Market Signals and Correlations
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.
Should Investors Look to Gold for 2024?
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.
How Active Investing Can Ride End to Fed Hikes
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.
Zillow Home Value Index: "Real" Home Value Falls in October
In October, nominal home values increased for a 7th straight months while "real" home values fell for a 2nd straight month. Last month's ZHVI came in at $346,653, up 0.26% from the previous month and up 1.75% from one year ago. However, after adjusting for inflation, the real figures are -0.14% month-over-month and -4.77% year-over-year.
VettaFi’s Advisor Perspectives Named Most Read E-Newsletter for Financial Advisors for Fifth Consecutive Year by Erdos Media Research
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).
NAHB Housing Market Index: Builder Confidence Down Again
High mortgage rates continue to impact builder confidence as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) fell for a fourth consecutive month. With that said, recent macroeconomic data suggest improved conditions in the coming months. The index dropped 6 points from last month to 34, the index's lowest level since December 2022.
Bitcoin Flirts With $38,000 as Spot ETF Hopes Encourage Bull Run
Bitcoin was in sight of $38,000, a level last seen in May 2022, amid an ongoing rally spurred by expectations of fresh demand for the token from exchange-traded funds.
Is Cash Trash? DoubleLine Has Some Thoughts
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.
Reach for High Yield With These 2 Active ETFs
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.
The Big Four Recession Indicators: Real Retail Sales Down 0.2% in October
Month-over-month nominal retail sales in October were down 0.1% and up 2.48% year-over-year. However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were down 0.2% MoM and down 0.73% year-over-year.
Around the World of ETFs with Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas
Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas goes around the world of ETFs, highlighting the industry's top stories, key trends, and future opportunities. VettaFi's Zeno Mercer offers the current state of play in artificial intelligence and ETFs investing in the space.
Stocks and Bonds Rally as Traders Bet That Fed Hikes Are Done
Professional traders entered November wagering Jerome Powell’s campaign to tame inflation was a long way from being won. Now they’re being forced into risky bets that the battle is over.
Meta Has More Wall Street Fans Than Ever as Rally Nears 300%
For Meta Platforms Inc. bulls, the biggest one-day stock wipeout in history is a fading sight in the rear-view mirror.
Retail Sales Fall 0.1% in October, Less Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for October revealed a 0.1% decrease in headline sales compared to September, marking the first month consumers have pulled back their spending since March. The latest figure was less than the anticipated 0.3% monthly decline. Core sales (ex Autos) beat expectations by increasing 0.1% in October compared to the expected 0.2% decline.
Producer Price Index: Wholesale Inflation Falls to 1.3% in October
Wholesale inflation rose less than expected in October as producer price growth slowed for the first time in four months. The producer price index for final demand was down 0.5% month-over-month (s.a.). On an annual basis, headline PPI decelerated from 2.2% in September to 1.3% in October.
VettaFi Voices On: Third-Quarter Earnings Season
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.
Roller Coaster: Markets Take a Ride
Like some advances earlier this year, the market's current surge hasn't been defined by strong breadth underneath the surface—which will be key for a sustained, durable advance.
Exchange 2024: How Do You Build on Sand?
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.
Japan’s New Gold Era: The Yen’s Decline Sparks Unprecedented Demand For Safe Havens
The price of gold just had its best October in nearly half a century, defying tough resistance from surging Treasury yields and a strong U.S. dollar. The yellow metal rallied an incredible 7.3% last month to close at $1,983 an ounce, its strongest October since 1978, when it jumped 11.7%.
Small Business Owners Are Not Feeling Optimistic
The headline number for the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 90.7 in October, as small business owners continued to not feel optimistic about current business conditions. The latest reading was better than the forecast of 90.5 but marked the 22nd straight month the index has been below the series average of 98.1.