Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF earns a Buy rating for its innovative, tax-efficient approach to short-term interest rate exposure. BOXX uses box spreads with European-style SPX options to synthetically replicate T-bill returns, offering NAV appreciation instead of taxable interest. The fund's standout advantage is superior tax treatment, deferring gains and potentially qualifying for capital gains rates versus ordinary income.
BOXX, an ultrashort bond ETF, receives the highest Quant rating among 61 similar funds, despite a general Quant bias against ultrashort bonds. The ETF employs a box strategy using FLEX options from the OCC, offers attractive dividends and yield, and has a tax-advantaged structure. Overall, BOXX stands out as a compelling cash-equivalent option, especially for investors seeking T-Bill yield with tax efficiency.
I reiterate a buy rating on BOXX due to its steady performance amid market volatility and tax efficiency for high-income investors. BOXX closely tracks the SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF and slightly outperforms it on a total return basis. BOXX's assets under management have surged from $1 billion to $6.1 billion, with low annual expense ratios and increasing trading volume.
| BATS Exchange | US Country |
The fund is notable for its specialized investment strategy, focusing primarily on a technique known as the Box Spread. By targeting investments that have a weighted average maturity of less than 90 days, it aims to allocate substantially all, if not at least 80%, of its total assets in Box Spreads. This investment approach is predicated on utilizing exchange-listed options to execute the box spread strategy, making it distinct in its operational methodology under normal market conditions.
A deep dive into the fund's products and services reveals a sophisticated approach to investment, with a key emphasis on the use of Box Spreads as its principal strategy. Below is a detailed explanation of the fund's primary investment tool: