GLD: My Second-Largest Portfolio Position, On Path To Become My Largest Holding
GLD remains a buy as its fundamentals stay strong despite recent price swings. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF has generated nearly a ten‑fold return since inception and now manages over $174 billion backed by 1,080 tonnes of gold. Retail physical‑gold sales are weakening, but robust ETF inflows and ongoing central‑bank purchases keep demand buoyant. The author plans to add more GLD after a deeper market pullback, aiming to make it his largest holding.
RSBT ETF: It's A Directional Bet, Not A Diversification Vehicle
The Return Stacked Bonds & Managed Futures ETF (RSBT) posted a 12.25% year‑over‑year price gain after a tough 2022‑23 inflation cycle. The fund allocates capital between the AGG bond ETF and a suite of trend‑following managed‑futures strategies, positioning it as...
FXR: Sophisticated Strategy With A High Fee Lagging XLI, A Hold
The First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX® Fund (FXR) has underperformed the sector benchmark XLI since its 2007 launch, delivering a CAGR 1.38 % lower while exhibiting higher volatility and deeper drawdowns. Despite a sophisticated AlphaDEX screening process and a modest value...
SAMT: Thematic Rotation ETF Reaches Its Objective, But Lags Key Competitor
Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMM) has marginally outperformed the Russell 1000 since its 2022 launch, meeting its stated objective of delivering thematic exposure. The fund’s top‑down approach now concentrates on AI, cash‑flow aristocrats, de‑globalization and an industrial power renaissance. While...
UTG: What A Real 'Dividend Growth' Machine Looks Like
The Reaves Utility Income Fund (UTG) has delivered an 11% average annual total return since its 2004 launch, driven by a 6‑7% dividend yield and 4‑5% capital gains. Over 22 years the fund has raised its dividend 13 times, demonstrating...
SCHG's Upgrade Engine Is Losing Steam - Time To Temper Expectations
Schwab US Large‑Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) remains on a Hold rating as earnings‑upgrade momentum wanes among its top holdings. Recent quarterly results show a cooling of positive revisions, especially in mega‑cap names, indicating a slowdown in the fund's upgrade engine....
GPIX Vs. ISPY: Why Goldman's Dynamic Strategy Beats 0DTE On Total Return
Goldman Sachs’ S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) outperforms the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ISPY) on total return, thanks to a dynamic, actively managed strategy. While ISPY’s zero‑days‑to‑expiration (0DTE) approach offers a higher upside ceiling, its results hinge heavily on precise manager...
Stop Overpaying For PDI
The PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) is trading at roughly a 12% premium to its net asset value, delivering a near‑14% yield and monthly distributions. While its strong distribution history appeals to income investors, the fund’s leverage and sensitivity to...
BIBL: Biblical Values-Focused Strategy Outperforming In 2026 Has Disadvantages, A Hold
The Inspire 100 ETF (BIBL) offers exposure to 100 U.S. large‑cap companies screened for biblical alignment. In 2026 the fund outperformed the S&P 500 benchmark IVV, largely because of a heavier tilt toward cyclical sectors and zero allocation to communications. Over the...
KCE: Not So Convinced By The AI Scare
The Valkyrie Trading Society argues that the State Street SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) is not materially threatened by the recent AI‑scare or large‑language‑model automation. While asset‑management revenues are already pressured by passive‑investment competition, AI is unlikely to accelerate...
SPEM: Why It's Not Just A Weaker-Dollar Story Boosting Emerging Markets
State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) remains a buy, backed by strong technical momentum, low valuation and a 0.07% expense ratio. The fund holds $16.7 billion in assets, offers a 2.58% dividend yield and provides broad EM exposure. Its...
XPAY: Tax-Deferred 20% Yield Meets A Flat Market Test In 2026
The Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF (XPAY) receives a Hold rating because its deep‑in‑the‑money FLEX‑option strategy creates structural NAV drag and an unsustainable ~20 % distribution yield. To maintain that yield, the underlying SPY would need to grow at roughly...
ETY: Discount Remains Narrow For This Monthly Payer
The Eaton Vance Tax‑Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETY) delivers a 7.81% monthly distribution, targeting tax‑efficient income for taxable accounts. It employs a partial overwrite strategy, allocating roughly 50% of notional value to laddered S&P 500 call options, which balances current...
VPLS: Another Look At This Solid, Vanilla Vanguard Bond ETF
Vanguard’s Core‑Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) is an actively managed fund that targets investment‑grade bonds, Treasuries, and mortgage‑backed securities while holding modest amounts of foreign and high‑yield debt. Compared with its passive benchmark, the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND), VPLS...
FXU: Utilities Dashboard For February
The February utilities dashboard shows water utilities trading about 15 % below their 11‑year average, while electric and multi‑utility firms are roughly 17 % overvalued. First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) has outperformed the sector benchmark XLU, yet the Invesco S&P 500...
AMLP: Attractive 8% Dividend Yield But With Limited Price Appreciation
The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) offers an approximately 8 % distribution yield, boosted by a recent $1 quarterly dividend increase. Its portfolio concentrates heavily, with the six largest mid‑stream MLP holdings accounting for over 75 % of assets due to a 12 %...
FDIS: Consumer Discretionary Dashboard For February
The February Consumer Discretionary Dashboard shows the sector’s services segment trading about 14% below its 11‑year average, while autos and components remain the most overpriced subsector. Fidelity’s FDIS ETF and SPDR’s XLY deliver comparable long‑term Sharpe ratios, but FDIS offers...
Pacer Data And Digital Revolution ETF: Another Copycat ETF, No Interest
The Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) is a newly launched fund that essentially mirrors the broader technology sector. Its performance is highly correlated with existing tech ETFs, offering little differentiation. The analyst rates the ETF as a sell,...
SPTS: January Job Cuts, Limited CPI Gives Space For Growth Mandate Focus And Cuts
State Street’s SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) is gaining attention as its 1.85‑year duration aligns with a lower‑inflation environment, allowing a growth‑focused mandate. The ETF’s exposure to short‑term rate moves helps it sidestep risks tied to long‑term USD...
FELC: US Market Either At AI-Disruption Risk Or Overvalued
The Fidelity Enhanced Large Cap Core ETF (FELC) trades at a modest premium, 25.9× forward earnings versus the US market median of 23.6×, while mirroring the composition of megacap tech‑heavy indices. Its expense ratio exceeds that of comparable index funds,...
TSI: Massive 30% Dividend Raise For This Monthly Income Fund
TCW Strategic Income Fund (TSI) announced a roughly 30% increase in its monthly dividend, pushing its distribution yield to about 6.9%. The closed‑end fund trades at a 7.62% discount to net asset value and carries a Buy rating. TSI’s portfolio...
TNA: Small-Caps Gain Momentum Over Mega-Cap Growth
Abrdn Focused U.S. Small Cap Active ETF Q4 2025 Commentary
abrdn Focused U.S. Small Cap Active ETF posted gross gains in Q4 2025 but lagged the Russell 2000 benchmark. The fund sold nine positions, including Integer and Vertex, while Corcept Therapeutics dragged performance after a drug failure. Alphatec’s rally provided a...
VGMS: This New Low-Cost Active Bond ETF Is Growing
Vanguard launched the Multi‑Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) in June 2025, offering a 5.19% SEC yield and a low 0.30% expense ratio. Over the past eight months the actively managed fund outperformed the benchmark AGG by 93 basis points, delivering...
FFSM: Sensible SMID Strategy, Competitive Returns, Worth Shotlisting
Fidelity Fundamental Small‑Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) is an actively managed, non‑transparent fund that combines quantitative screening with fundamental research. Since its 2024 strategy shift, FFSM has outperformed the S&P 500 and several SMID peers such as IJH and SMMD, driven by...
UTF Vs. ASGI: Why A 6% Discount And Rate Cut Cycle Make UTF The Obvious Choice
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF) received a Buy rating, while abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (ASGI) was placed on Hold due to its premium valuation. UTF trades at a 6 % discount to NAV and carries 29.7 % leverage, positioning it to...
FCT: No Near-Term Growth Catalyst
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (FCT) remains a hold as its earnings growth stalls and its 11.7% yield faces pressure. Net investment income is insufficient to fully fund distributions, forcing the fund to rely on realized gains,...
JEPI: Improving Economic Conditions Should Uniquely Benefit This Fund
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) uses a covered‑call strategy to target 7‑9% annual distributions, positioning it as a low‑volatility, income‑focused vehicle. The fund has consistently met its payout goals since inception, appealing to risk‑averse investors seeking steady cash flow....