How To Find The Best Sector ETFs: Q4 2019 by David Trainer

Summary

  • The large number of ETFs hurts investors more than it helps as too many options become paralyzing.
  • Performance of an ETF's holdings are equal to the performance of an ETF.
  • Our coverage of ETFs leverages the diligence we do on each stock by rating ETFs based on the aggregated ratings of their holdings.
  • Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of Value Investing 2.0 get exclusive access to our model portfolio. Get started today »

Finding the best ETFs is an increasingly difficult task in a world with so many to choose from. How can you pick with so many choices available?

Don’t Trust ETF Labels

There are at least 58 different Technology ETFs and at least 259 ETFs across 11 sectors. Do investors need 23-plus choices on average per sector? How different can the ETFs be?

Those 58 Technology ETFs are very different. With anywhere from 21 to 380 holdings, many of these Technology ETFs have drastically different portfolios, creating drastically different investment implications.

The same is true for the ETFs in any other sector, as each offers a very different mix of good and bad stocks. Telecom Services ranks first for stock selection. Utilities ranks last. Details on the Best & Worst ETFs in each sector are here.

How to Avoid Paralysis by Analysis

We think the large number of Technology (or any other) sector ETFs hurts investors more than it helps because too many options can be paralyzing. It's simply not possible for the majority of investors to properly assess the quality of so many ETFs. Analyzing ETFs, done with the proper diligence[1] is far more difficult than analyzing stocks because it means analyzing all the stocks within each ETF. As stated above, there can be as many as 380 stocks or more for one ETF.

Anyone focused on fulfilling the fiduciary duty of care recognizes that analyzing the holdings[2] of an ETF is critical to finding the best ETF. Figure 1 shows our top-rated ETF for each sector.

Figure 1: The Best ETF in Each Sector

  • Best ETFs exclude ETFs with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity
    Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings

Amongst the ETFs in Figure 1, iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) ranks first overall, Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) ranks second, and State Street SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) ranks third. Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) ranks last.

How to Avoid “The Danger Within”

Why do you need to know the holdings of ETFs before you buy?

You need to be sure you do not buy an ETF that might blow up. Buying an ETF without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business and finances. No matter how cheap, if it holds bad stocks, the ETF’s performance will be bad.

Performance of Fund's Holdings = Performance of Fund

Analyzing each holding within funds is no small task. Our Robo-Analyst technology enables us to perform this diligence with scale and provide the research needed to fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. More of the biggest names in the financial industry (see At BlackRock, Machines Are Rising Over Managers to Pick Stocks) are now embracing technology to leverage machines in the investment research process. Technology may be the only solution to the dual mandate for research: Cut costs and fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. Investors, clients, advisors and analysts deserve the latest in technology to get the diligence required to make prudent investment decisions.

...Read the Full Post On Seeking Alpha

Author Bio:

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Steem Account: @davidtrainer
Twitter Account: NewConstructs

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