Nick Peters-Golden

Is now the time to get into crypto? Many investors may be looking to get into the space for the first time as the regulatory outlook improves. In that case, it may be worth looking at companies engaged in bitcoin mining rather than getting into spot bitcoin, specifically. Those without any crypto exposure may look to a bitcoin mining ETF as a bridge to spot.

On the lookout for a strong ETF to end 2024 and potentially launch portfolios into 2025? In that case, the America US Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) could stand out. The fund has seen its price rise 43% over the last one year, per YCharts data. Its tech chart, too, shows strong momentum, with its price well above its 50 and 200-day simple moving averages. With rate cuts arriving, too, QGRO could be poised for a strong 2025.

Despite the market’s positivity following U.S. elections and rate cuts, uncertainty still looms over investing in 2025. Concentration risk and a potential AI bubble pose counterpoints to optimism in the new year, especially if inflation, too, remains a stubborn problem. With many investors moving out of cash amid that uncertainty, it may be worth looking at the benefits of equal weighting stocks. An equal weight ETF like EQL, for example, could provide a route into equities with reduced levels of overall risk.

Still holding onto cash? Many U.S. investors are, with trillions still siting in cash for steady yields. That said, falling interest rates could see cash yields drop. With many investors revisiting their portfolios overall, the time could be now to make a move into fixed income from cash. Fixed income opportunities vary from safer, investment-grade bonds to high-yield securities. An active fixed income investing approach, specifically, could boost portfolios with the expertise needed to outperform dropping cash yields.

On the lookout for a strong ETF to end 2024 and potentially launch portfolios into 2025? In that case, the American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF ( QGRO B- ) could stand out. The fund has seen its price rise 43% over the last one year, per YCharts data. Its tech chart, too, shows strong momentum, with its price well above its 50 and 200-day simple moving averages. With rate cuts arriving, too, QGRO could be poised for a strong 2025.

Small and mid-cap firms have gathered significant interest amid the Fed’s rate cut cycle. With multiple cuts already in the books, those firms have responded. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index, per YCharts, saw its performance spike following the Fed’s November cut. Investors may be looking for an active ETF to ride along with that performance, then with TMSL a potent option. The active SMID cap ETF has significantly outperformed its ETF Database Category and Factset Segment averages over the last year, standing out in the space.

On the lookout for emerging markets investing opportunities? Most emerging markets indexes, of course, contain significant exposure to the biggest “emerging” market, China. While that has historically presented some solid opportunities for U.S. investors, potentially rising tensions threatens further investment. At the same time, while a significant economy with real opportunities, the Chinese economy still faces some sluggish numbers amid a debt crisis and lagging consumer spending. An ex-China emerging markets approach, instead, can provide a useful alternative.

The overall market narrative has focused on the U.S. and potential tariffs on China and some neighbors, but that may be missing important opportunities elsewhere. There are some strong reasons to invest abroad right now for U.S. investors. For one, the AI craze that has driven so much market performance has shown some signs of being a bubble. For another, while a soft landing appears somewhat likely, it’s not locked in yet. Together, it may be worth considering foreign equities to diversify away from the U.S., with India equities ETFs appealing.

As 2024 approaches an end, many investors are looking to refresh their portfolios. With markets up majorly this year, taxes loom as a key factor for consideration. While tax relief may be on the horizon, in the near and medium terms, investors may want to consider shifting their investments into more tax-friendly assets. One way to limit ETF tax impacts, then, may be looking to municipal bond funds like the muni bond ETF TAXF.

Bitcoin has had a strong 2024, with spot bitcoin ETFs hitting the market and recent election news boosting the cryptocurrency’s outlook. That has positioned bitcoin to enter 2025 with some notable strength, as well. Of course, investors can look a bit deeper when it comes to bitcoin using advanced metrics like MVRV, or market value to realized value. A key bitcoin metric, it suggests that the cryptocurrency is in the midst of an upswing.