No Value ETFs Out There, Not Possible
•March 4, 2026
0
Why It Matters
Without a reliable value‑focused ETF, investors must perform their own analysis, otherwise they risk underperformance and potential loss during market downturns.
Key Takeaways
- •Value ETFs underperform during market crashes and rallies.
- •Vanguard Value Index lagged S&P 500 both up and down.
- •True value investing requires active judgment, not static metrics.
- •ETF inflows/outflows can kill a value strategy after bad years.
- •No existing ETF reliably captures pure value‑investing principles.
Summary
The speaker argues that no exchange‑traded fund currently fulfills the strict criteria of a true value‑investor portfolio, which demands a margin of safety, low risk, and upside potential.
He points out that the Vanguard Value Index Fund underperformed the S&P 500 both in the 2008 crisis—falling more sharply—and over the long run, delivering only 186 % growth since 2007 versus the index’s 350 %. Its top holdings—JPMorgan, Berkshire Hathaway, ExxonMobil—have all surged recently, illustrating how the fund simply rides market momentum rather than seeking undervalued securities.
Citing a 1999 Forbes story, he notes that Berkshire Hathaway’s stock fell while investors chased internet stocks, yet Warren Buffett’s long‑term discipline generated outsized returns. He also references Bill Ackman’s 2015 drawdown to show how even active managers can be wiped out by investor redemptions during bad periods.
The conclusion is that value investing requires independent, active analysis that cannot be encoded into a passive or even an actively managed ETF without risking catastrophic outflows. Investors should therefore rely on individual stock research or bespoke portfolios rather than seeking a “value ETF.”
Original Description
No Value ETFs Out There, Not Possible
If you are a sophisticated investor looking for in depth, independent stock analyses, a strategic value investing portfolio approach, here is my STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (business and sector risk and reward analysis, my portfolios):
STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM:
My 7 Year Performance Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5iMGjFESEI
Research Platform https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPJ9wv0BH08
Want to Reinforce Your Value Investing Mindset And Improve Your Investing Skills: Sign up for the FREE Value Investing Course - a comprehensive guide to investing discussing all that matters (from mind to accounting): https://sven-carlin-research-platform.teachable.com/p/stock-market-investing
I am also a book author:
Modern Value Investing book:
Key videos to watch:
INTRINSIC VALUE CALCULATION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy58bA87YjY
QUADRANT UPDATE Jan 2026 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEpPP--a8Zc
Peter Lynch stock categories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw1S1V4ASQw
ASSET CLASSES FOR 2026: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBmr55S1qNIU05Rjs-VX8BTRjDTVnt1au
When investing, your capital is at risk. The link in this description to Interactive Brokers is an affiliate link. This means I may earn a commission if you click them, at no cost to you. These links help support me and the channel, but they are not part of any sponsorship. I am only sharing my own experience and the views I express are mine alone - I’m not a financial advisor and do not make investment recommendations or give investment advice. You should always do your own research and due diligence before investing. None of the information contained herein constitutes a recommendation, offer, promotion, or solicitation of an offer to buy, sell or hold any security, financial product or instrument or to engage in any specific investment activity.
I often get asked about brokers, here is a low fee broker, an international one that allows you to buy on global markets, and also offers complex solutions like options for when your investing skills grow. For now, it is one of the best solutions I have found for global investors, also based on your comments and inputs:
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...