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1 week ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Four months into the year, but for many investors, it may feel like it’s been longer. Tariff uncertainty has taken a big bite out of the markets. Indeed, the S&P 500 has dropped by more than 10% YTD. That has brought the one-year performance for the key market index down to just 2.5% for the last twelve months.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Values-based ETFs play an intriguing role in the growing ETF landscape. For investors who want their portfolios to reflect their worldview or personal values, ETFs can make a great vehicle. With their transparency and flexibility, ETFs can act as tools to toggle on or off certain exposures, avoiding problem companies or leaning into others, or as a vehicle to advocate for your values. TOV, the recently launched Jewish values ETF, presents one notable example.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
As the number and variety of ETFs continue to grow, classic ETFs have changed. Many investors are very familiar with the large market tracking ETFs that play core roles for millions of investors. The nature of the “passive” ETF may be changing, however. New ETFs that provide a different approach to passive have hit the scene just in time for rising market volatility.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Have tariffs on the mind? U.S. investors facing market turbulence may be inclined to look for diversification abroad. Entering 2025, many investors faced significant concentration risk, with just a handful of firms driving much of 2024’s market performance. Now, with domestic markets also facing tariff risks, investors have even more reason to consider diversifying. An international value ETF like FIVA could, then, provide a strong option to do so.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Could now be the time to diversify abroad with an active international equity ETF? Active ETFs have become key parts of numerous portfolios in recent years. With both an accelerating number of active ETF launches and overall category AUM, the active fund type is now a serious consideration for many investors. With U.S. volatility rising, they could play a particularly strong role as a vehicle for equity diversification.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
The Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF (FLDR) has something to celebrate. The ETF was bumped up to Gold rated by Morningstar recently. That recognition comes as the fund doubled its AUM over the course of 2024. Specifically, the strategy saw its AUM rise from $330 million on January 1, 2024, to $660 million as of December 31, 2024, per YCharts data. Those metrics may invite investors and advisors to consider the role a low duration bond ETF like FLDR might play.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Market volatility is many investors’ bane. Adding current income could really help bolster portfolios dealing with a volatile market. A current income ETF like FPFD, specifically, and its usage of preferreds, could make for a solid niche addition to portfolios. See more: Seeking Income to Boost Portfolios? Try High Dividend ETF FDVVThe Fidelity Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPFD) charges a 60 basis point fee to actively invest.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Considering routes to diversification? ETFs can provide easily toggleable tools to add or subtract exposures. With U.S. markets facing turbulent tariffs, international equities could provide a strong alternative. That being said, not all international small-caps are the same. The right international small-cap ETF can provide a targeted allocation to tack onto an existing equities portfolio. The Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) presents one strong example.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Entering 2025, many investors were facing a very different set of risks. While tariffs have now — justifiably — taken center stage in many market watchers’ list of concerns, concentration risk still lingers. Yes, tech stocks have driven considerable gains for investors for years now. Last year, however, reliance on tech began to veer toward “over”-reliance.
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1 month ago | 
etftrends.com | Nick Peters-Golden
Let’s face it — markets are more than just a little turbulent right now. Investors have many reasons to be feeling a fearful pinch in 2025. Recession still seems a distinct possibility, with tariffs arriving — and then departing — at a breakneck pace. A trade war is one thing, but a global trade war combined with a recession? That’s a recipe for portfolio struggles, before even getting into existing concentration risk.
