High Conviction for the Long-Term: Inside Baron Capital’s Strategy
Baron Capital, a veteran active manager, launched two high‑conviction ETFs last year: the Baron SMID‑Cap ETF (BCSM) and the Baron Technology ETF (BCTK). Both funds emphasize a bottom‑up, fundamental research process aimed at identifying companies that can double in value over a three‑to‑five‑year horizon. BCSM boasts a 96.3% active share and blends small‑ and mid‑cap stocks, while BCTK concentrates on 38 global AI‑related names with a 69% active share versus the Nasdaq‑100. The offerings give investors a transparent, tax‑efficient way to access Baron’s long‑term, secular‑growth philosophy within an ETF wrapper.
Navigate Fixed Income with PIMCO’s Active ETF Trio
Higher‑for‑longer rates and a new Federal Reserve chair have heightened uncertainty in the bond market, making active management increasingly essential. PIMCO’s three flagship active ETFs—BOND, MINT and PYLD—have each attracted more than $1 billion in net inflows this year, reflecting strong...
Active Growth ETF FDG Is Outperforming More Each Month YTD
The American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) has continued to outpace its peers in 2026, delivering a 7.6% year‑to‑date return that accelerated to 12.76% over the past three months and 14.6% in the most recent month. Since its 2020...
Micron Stock Feels Unstoppable and That’s Good for This ETF
Micron (MU) has surged 75% year‑to‑date, lifting its market value to about $842 billion and putting a $1 trillion valuation within reach. The rally is driven by exploding AI‑accelerator demand that is turning DRAM from a cyclical commodity into a structural growth...
Rocket Labs (RKLB) Surge Boosts Space ETF UFO
Rocket Lab (RKLB) surged 34% after reporting first‑quarter revenue that topped analysts’ estimates and announcing a $190 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. The rally marked the company’s strongest trading day ever and lifted the Procure Space ETF (UFO),...
Paltry S&P 500 Yield Makes This ETF Appealing
The benchmark S&P 500 ETF yields just 1.06%, the lowest in five decades, leaving income‑focused investors searching for alternatives. NEOS’s S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) provides a 12.09% distribution rate, paid monthly, and manages about $9.44 billion in assets. Over the past...
Bitcoin Dominance Rises, But It’s Not All Bad for Altcoins
Bitcoin surged past $80,000 and held that level for several days, lifting its market‑dominance gauge to 61.3%, the strongest reading in over six months. While the metric suggests investors are favoring Bitcoin, altcoins have begun to stabilize after a prolonged...
T. Rowe Price Crosses $25 Billion: A New Chapter for an Active Powerhouse
T. Rowe Price’s actively managed ETF suite has surpassed $25 billion in assets, marking a pivotal milestone for the firm’s shift from mutual funds to ETFs. Growth is anchored by fundamental equity products such as the $7 billion Capital Appreciation Equity ETF and the...
Powell Stays…Should the Dot Plot?
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced he will remain a Fed governor through 2028, while Kevin Warsh is set to assume the chairmanship in June. The April FOMC meeting held rates steady but recorded four dissenters—the most since 1992—signaling resistance...
Small-Cap Awakening Sparks This Momentum ETF
Invesco’s S&P SmallCap Momentum ETF (XSMO) offers exposure to small‑cap stocks with strong price momentum, tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Momentum Index. The $2.77 billion fund holds 114 stocks, weighting each under 3.9% and rebalancing semi‑annually with a 20% buffer to...
Exchange 2026: How ETFs Are Democratizing the CLO Market
Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), a roughly $1 trillion market, are moving beyond institutional walls thanks to exchange‑traded funds. Tim Wickstrom of Reckoner Capital highlighted that CLO ETFs provide retail investors with floating‑rate exposure, higher yield potential and minimal duration risk. The...
AMD Ascent Could Lure Traders to This ETF
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has surged more than 90% this year and quadrupled in value over the past twelve months, underscoring its rising dominance in AI semiconductors. The latest earnings report highlighted record AI compute demand, positioning AMD to capture...
Worried Inflation Is Back? Why Active Fixed Income Wins
March’s CPI rose 0.9% month‑over‑month, lifting annual inflation to 3.3% as energy costs surged 10.9% amid Middle‑East tensions. The unexpected stickiness may force the Federal Reserve to reconsider its rate‑cut path, creating headwinds for traditional bond portfolios. Active fixed‑income ETFs,...
Why the DOE’s Newest Initiative Demands a Full-Spectrum Nuclear ETF
The U.S. Department of Energy unveiled the Nuclear Fuel DPA Consortium 3‑33, a Defense Production Act‑backed program that will secure three domestic suppliers for key nuclear fuel stages by 2033. The initiative aims to create a cost‑competitive, home‑grown supply chain...
ETF of the Week: Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY)
In the latest "ETF of the Week" podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth and Money Life host Chuck Jaffe dissect Invesco’s Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY). The discussion highlights PCY’s focus on a diversified basket of emerging‑market government bonds,...
ETF Launch Engine: Record-Setting Pace in 2026
The ETF market is accelerating, with 370 new funds debuting by early May 2026—far outpacing the 290 launches recorded at the same point last year. Active strategies dominate, representing 80% of all new ETFs and 70% of fixed‑income launches, while...
Palantir Pullback Could Make This ETF Enticing
Palantir reported first‑quarter results that showed a 104% year‑over‑year surge in U.S. revenue, yet the stock slipped as analysts focused on modest domestic revenue guidance. The company’s Rule of 40 metric jumped 145%, underscoring strong profitability‑growth balance. This pullback fuels interest...
How to Build an Efficient Core With ETFs
VettaFi and WisdomTree hosted a discussion on building an efficient core using ETFs, highlighting the 90/60 framework that lets investors generate $150 of notional exposure for every $100 invested. The approach stacks exposures—such as gold futures—without reducing core equity participation,...
AI Pivot: Electrification Infrastructure in Focus
AI‑driven data centers are exposing a critical shortfall in the United States’ power grid, prompting investors to look beyond chip makers toward the physical infrastructure that can deliver 24/7 electricity. ALPS Capital highlights this shift in its Q2 2026 market themes,...
Q1 2026: Different Signal, Same Noise
The first quarter of 2026 was split between a decoupled global economy and a war‑driven oil shock that reshaped market focus. Deglobalization heightened the risk‑management value of geographic diversification, while volatile oil prices curbed consumer spending and investment. AI is...
ETF Prime: New Launches Surge Past 370 in 2026
The ETF market is experiencing a rapid expansion, with nearly 370 new funds launched in the first four months of 2026, putting the industry on track for 1,200 launches by year‑end—a level that would match the 2025 record. Active‑managed products...
Wall Street’s Move to 5% Bitcoin Allocations
Traditional financial giants are integrating Bitcoin into core portfolios as on‑chain infrastructure converges with legacy systems. Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch now recommend up to 5% allocations to Bitcoin, signaling a shift from speculative hype to fundamental exposure. Stablecoin market...
On the Hunt for VIP Dividends
Dividend investors face a paradox: soaring equity valuations blunt yields while inflation and consumer sentiment remain weak. The article argues that preferred stocks, which pay fixed dividends and trade near a $25 par value, can provide a defensive income stream...
Volatility ETFs Seem Perfect for the Current Moment; Have They Performed?
Volatility ETFs have shown mixed results amid heightened market turbulence, with the VIX spiking to 31 in March before easing to 16.95. ZVOL posted negative YTD returns but delivered a hefty 70.56% distribution rate, while VIXY posted a 10.3% YTD...
Invesco’s Larosiliere Talks Income, Yield in 2026
At the VettaFi Q2 Market Symposium, Invesco’s Stephanie Larosiliere highlighted a resurgence in fixed‑income ETFs, noting that higher starting yields are opening income opportunities that were unavailable for most of the past decade. She pointed to the Invesco Total Return...
Invesco’s Larosiliere Talks Income, Yield in 2026
At the VettaFi Q2 Market Symposium, Invesco’s head of fixed‑income strategy, Stephanie Larosiliere, highlighted a resurgence in income‑focused bond ETFs as a driver of total return through 2026. She pointed to the Invesco Total Return Bond ETF (GTO), which now...
Matt Kaufman on the Calamos Approach to Autocallable ETFs
Amid a volatile macro backdrop, Calamos Investments is promoting autocallable ETFs as a yield‑focused alternative to traditional bonds. The firm’s suite—CAIE, CAIQ and CAGE—wraps structured autocallable notes in an ETF wrapper, offering liquidity, transparency and tax efficiency while linking payouts...
How Dividend Growth Tech ETF TDV Avoids Concentration Risk While Outperforming
The ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETF (TDV) blends tech growth with a disciplined dividend‑growth strategy to give investors exposure without over‑weighting the sector’s megacap names. The fund tracks an equal‑weighted index of companies that have raised dividends for at...
Amid TIPS Disappointment, This ETF May Be Bond Investors’ Best Friend
Advisors face a fixed‑income dilemma as Treasury Inflation‑Protected Securities (TIPS) underperformed despite rising inflation, while Treasury yields climbed in Q1. The WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR) – a $17 billion ETF with a 12‑year history – has outperformed the Bloomberg...
Apple’s Standout Q2 Earnings Open Up ETF Opportunities
Apple posted a strong Q2 2026 earnings beat, reporting $2.01 earnings per share and $111.2 billion in revenue, up 22% and 17% year‑over‑year respectively. The results were driven by record iPhone 17 sales and continued growth in Services, even as the company navigates...
Muni Bond Investors: Let’s Talk TAXF
The American Century Diversified Municipal Bond ETF (TAXF) manages $616.6 million and offers active management of intermediate‑term municipal bonds. With a 6.2‑year option‑adjusted duration and 714 holdings, TAXF aims to outperform the S&P National AMT‑Free Municipal Bond Index. Analysts note tightening...
Wrap-Up From VettaFi’s Q2 Market Outlook Symposium
VettaFi’s Q2 Market Outlook Symposium highlighted a suite of thematic strategies for advisors, from active fixed‑income ETFs to emerging sectors like defense drones and physical AI. Panels showcased the rise of autocallable ETFs, record $6 billion inflows into CLO ETFs, and...
Active Tech ETF GTEK Up 25% YTD
Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) has delivered a 25% gain year‑to‑date, far outpacing the technology equity category’s 8.5% average. Over the past 12 months the fund posted a 65.5% total return while charging a 75‑basis‑point expense ratio....
Midstream Payout Growth Continues Into Q2 2026
Midstream energy firms continued to boost investor payouts in Q2 2026, with Targa Resources and Sunoco LP leading the charge. Targa lifted its quarterly dividend 25% to $1.25 per share, while Sunoco raised its distribution 6.25% to $0.9899 per unit....
UFO Space ETF Assets Nearly Double in April
The Procure Space ETF (UFO) saw assets under management double in April, climbing to $727 million. Net inflows of $322 million and an 8.1% price rise powered the surge, while the fund’s year‑to‑date return sits near 30%, far outpacing major indices. Launched...
Dual Commencement: The Russell Index Shift to Semi-Annual Rebalancing
The Russell 2000 and 1000 indexes will transition from an annual to a semi‑annual rebalancing schedule, with updates in June and December. After 37 years of yearly adjustments, the change aims to reduce style drift and keep the indexes aligned...
Hope Beneath the Headlines
RiverFront’s April 2026 Chart Pack highlights that the Iran‑driven oil shock pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, prompting a modest pullback in the S&P 500 while the Fed kept rates steady. Despite the geopolitical turbulence, the United States’ deepening energy independence...
Will Rising Fossil Fuel Prices Boost Battery Tech Investing?
Rising fossil‑fuel prices are prompting investors to look toward battery‑technology assets, a trend highlighted in VettaFi’s recent webcast. Speakers outlined a "triple demand" thesis: expanding global EV adoption, a metals super‑cycle, and rapid battery‑storage cost declines. The BATT...
Paving the Way for a Warsh Fed
The Justice Department’s decision to drop its probe into the Fed’s building renovation clears the path for Kevin Warsh’s nomination as the next Federal Reserve chair. Warsh, long viewed as an inflation hawk, now emphasizes a nuanced definition of inflation,...
What Is Tokenization and How to Get Exposure
Tokenization is turning real‑world assets such as government bonds, money‑market funds and real estate into blockchain‑based digital tokens that settle in minutes and can be fractionalized. The market reached $33.9 billion in 2025, growing 70% year‑over‑year, with forecasts ranging from $4 trillion...
ARKK Flows Signal a Spring Resurgence
The ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) recorded a dramatic surge in April 2026, pulling in $715 million on April 24 and $1.9 billion on April 27, for a total of $3.3 billion in net inflows that month. This inflow spike lifted the fund’s assets under management...
From Coke to GM: Decode the Q1 Earnings Wave Through ETFs
The first‑quarter earnings season showcased strength beyond the tech‑heavy Magnificent Seven, with Coca‑Cola, BP, Spotify, General Motors and UPS all posting solid results. Coca‑Cola beat EPS expectations and raised its full‑year outlook, while BP delivered a $3.2 billion net income and...
ALPS Natural Resources ETF Leads Lineup on Supply Shift
The ALPS CoreCommodity Natural Resources ETF (CCNR) has posted a 23.86% year‑to‑date gain, the best performance among ALPS‑managed funds, as investors brace for a “new resource reality” highlighted by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Launched in July 2024, the actively managed...
Seeking Fixed Income Solutions? Give Municipals a Chance
Advisors are urged to reconsider municipal bonds as a core fixed‑income allocation amid a volatile macro backdrop. With a new Federal Reserve chair expected later this year, the prospect of additional rate cuts could depress cash yields, making tax‑exempt muni...
Costs Vs. Retirement: The Case for TIPS ETFs
Fidelity’s 2026 State of Retirement Planning Study found that roughly one‑third of Americans are unsure they can ever retire, with 42% believing retirement is unaffordable. The top competing priority across generations is the rising cost of living, a pressure that...
Take a Fresh Approach to the ‘Agg’ With This Bond ETF
The American Century Multisector Income ETF (MUSI) turned five in June, offering an actively managed alternative to passive aggregate bond funds. With an effective duration of 5.73 years, the fund sits in the intermediate‑term segment that historically shows low correlation...
From Silicon to Power: AI’s Next Bottleneck
Wall Street’s AI hype is shifting from chips to power. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang says electricity, not GPUs, will limit AI scaling, a view echoed by Elon Musk. Data‑center electricity demand is projected to triple by 2030, straining the U.S. grid...
The Case for Gold Miners: Why Supply Scarcity Is Key
Gold’s price has hovered near the $4,000 per ounce mark, but short‑term volatility sparked by geopolitical tensions has not yet translated into higher miner earnings. Sprott’s managing partner Shree Kargutkar argues that the scarcity of new gold mines and declining...
Q1 Highlights Appeal of Active Bond ETFs
The first quarter of 2026 saw broad losses across U.S. bond categories, leaving passive aggregate bond funds underwhelming investors. Morningstar highlighted that long‑term core bonds and high‑yield issues were the worst performers amid AI‑related risk aversion and the Iran conflict....
The Only Claims that Matter
Recession headlines have surged for five consecutive years, yet actual U.S. downturns have occurred only three months in the past 17 years. The frequency of recessions has dropped dramatically, from 21% of the time between 1970‑1990 to just 1.5% since...