Everyone Hates REITs - A Contrarian Opportunity
REITs endured a brutal three-plus-year stretch since March 2022, underperforming the S&P 500 by an unprecedented 70 percentage points, far worse than the Global Financial Crisis. Extreme underperformance has left REITs historically cheap despite solid property-level fundamentals, but this valuation discount carries a cost: elevated capital costs, suppressed transaction activity, and limited external growth opportunities. Depressed public-market valuations have triggered a pronounced “REIT exodus,” with 40 REITs acquired, liquidated, or seeking sales since 2022, while new REIT formation has collapsed to a fraction of norms.
High-Yield Confidence: Advisors Lean Into Credit in the New Year
Many advisors and investors are contemplating or actively adjusting their portfolios for the new year. That's why the insights gathered from attendees at last week's VettaFi 2026 Market Outlook Symposium were so compelling.
The Cut Countdown
U.S. equity markets climbed to the cusp of fresh record-highs as another soft slate of employment data and modest PCE inflation data helped solidify the case for another rate cut. ADP provided the most evident signs of cooling labor markets, posting job losses in three of the past six months and a cooldown in wage growth to four-year lows. The PCE report showed corresponding disinflation in discretionary services categories, offsetting modest upward pressures on goods prices, resulting in the first monthly deceleration in core inflation since April.
Doves Take The Wheel
U.S. equity markets staged a broad rally in the holiday-shortened week, while benchmark interest rates dipped to the cusp of multi-year lows, as investors leaned into December rate cut expectations. Reports that Kevin Hassett- a close Trump ally- has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Fed Chair Powell in 2026 further sharpened expectations for a more explicitly dovish policy approach. The "Hasset trade" revived appetite for long-duration and rate-sensitive equity sectors, as investors priced in a lower terminal-rate environment and a steeper path of 2026 policy accommodation.
Fixed Income ETFs Set New $325 Billion Record
With $1.01 trillion of net inflows for the year, ETFs are sure to break the 2024 record of $1.1 trillion, likely in November. However, with $325 billion of new money as of October 15, fixed income ETFs have already hit a new milestone for the year.
VIDEO: ETF of the Week: TMB
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi's Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the Thornburg Multi-Sector Bond ETF (TMB) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discusses several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF.
Powell Pivot Sparks REIT Rebound
U.S. equity markets notched another series of record highs this week, surging into the weekend after surprisingly dovish commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Powell, who hinted at imminent rate cuts. Powell used his final Jackson Hole speech as Fed Chair to deliver a clear policy pivot, an unexpected reversal after months of insistence that tariff-related inflation warranted a hawkish framework. Markets were equally relieved by the policy-focused nature of Powell's speech amid speculation that the address may be used instead as a potential defiant sermon on central bank independence.
Behind The (Revised) Curve
U.S. equity markets fell sharply this week, while benchmark interest rates retreated to three-month lows, after revised employment data showed that job growth was far weaker than initially reported. The BLS payrolls report showed softer-than-expected hiring in July and the steepest two-month downward revisions to jobs growth since 2020, raising concern that the Fed may be "behind the curve." The downward revisions came days after Fed Chair Powell used it as the primary evidence for "solid" labor markets, which justified the FOMC's decision to keep rates in "restrictive" territory.
Replacing AGG With 2 ETFs That Cost At Least 8× More Can Make Sense
Some define AGG as a free ETF, considering an expense ratio of 0.03% and spreads and NAV deviation at their minimums. And it is the benchmark of the market in the intermediate‑maturity segment, just as the S&P 500 is for equities. And yet I believe fully passive management risks missing value, unlike the equity market, well served by passive funds.
Trade War Redux
U.S. equity markets retreated from record highs this week after the White House reignited its tariff offensive with a wave of aggressive levies and additional punitive threats. While inflation data has indicated that the 10% tariffs were efficiently absorbed, the pivot back towards Liberation Day tariff levels raises concern that recent deflationary offsets may be overwhelmed. After closing at record highs for two straight weeks, the S&P 500 retreated by 0.3% this past week, trading in a relatively tight trading range as investors geared up for earnings season.
5 Most-Loved ETFs of Last Week
Bond ETFs like AGG and SGOV led inflows last week as Treasury yields dropped and equity ETFs saw outflows.
SCCR May Be Better Than AGG, But It's Too Soon To Tell
For most investors, the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF is the gold standard of bond investing, and constitutes the entirety of many investors' bond allocations. The Schwab Core Bond ETF aims to provide a better, more informed allocation to bonds than AGG. It does this with an increased allocation to municipal bonds, longer effective duration, and active selection of corporate bonds.
