Nick Peters-Golden

Looking for options in fixed income? The space is offering significant appeal, especially for those nearing retirement. The yields and potential current income boost available in munis appeal on their own, but adding in strong fundamentals in the municipals space, and the right ETF invested in muni bonds could make a helpful addition to investor holdings.

Considering ways to diversify away from ongoing rate uncertainty? The active non-U.S. ETF TOUS may provide one strong option.

Semiconductors have been a huge player in the U.S. stock market in recent years. Even before generative AI’s big debut, semiconductor firms were helping portfolios of all kinds.

Many active fund managers tout deep research teams to boost their investing capabilities. A firm’s fundamental research capabilities can distinguish between middling returns and consistent, significant returns. Whether a growth or value strategy, in equities or fixed income, fundamental research matters for active strategies. T. Rowe Price’s “tech tours” present one key example of a boots-on-the-ground research approach to watch.

Is inflation finally coming back down to more reasonable levels? A new data drop coming in this week seems to suggest it. Core prices posted their lowest increase since April 2021, per the Wall Street Journal. The Fed’s recent signaling towards higher for longer may have had an effect, but it could still push inflation down even further. Taken together, that change in outlook could boost the case for active growth investing.

Active investing offers notable advantages that may stand out as a potential zero rate cut scenario looms following recent Fed talk.

Active ETF flexibility offers investors some major advantages. That said, active funds often stick to certain style boxes. Investment style boxes, like value to growth, large or small caps, can offer simple heuristics to understand a strategy. At the same time, those style boxes come with strong arguments for or against, as with value.

The recent VettaFi SS&C ALPS Advisors Summit underscored the growing role of active fixed income ETFs for investors.

Markets often see narratives obfuscate the facts on the ground, and 2024 has proved no exception. In this case, negative headlines surrounding real estate may be unnecessarily warding investors away from potential opportunities in REITs. An active REIT ETF, specifically, could provide one intriguing route into the space, as discussed on a panel during the recent SS&C ALPS Virtual Summit.

2024 has presented many investors with a waiting game. Whether it’s waiting for the Fed, waiting for inflation, or waiting for the election, lots of investors may be holding off on making important moves. One option that may invite action right now, however, is small-caps. Small-caps combine a few important benefits and are poised to benefit from some macroeconomic trends on the horizon. So why choose small-caps?