The Invesco Dorsey Wright SmallCap Momentum ETF has a strong growth profile but has underperformed other small-cap momentum funds like XSMO and USVM since 2021. DWAS focuses on U.S. small-cap companies with strong relative performance, heavily weighted towards industrials and technology sectors, and has a high turnover rate. Despite outperforming the Russell 2000 index over time, DWAS has higher volatility, lower liquidity, and higher expense ratios compared to peer funds.
DWAS offers exposure to small- and mid-cap names with convincing momentum characteristics. Yet, its strategy of capitalizing on SMID stocks that were on a tear did not translate into meaningful and consistent outperformance in the past. Its historical risk-adjusted returns are much weaker than those of IVV and IJR, owing to its volatility, which, in turn, is likely influenced by soft quality.
Rate cuts are coming, it seems, with the U.S. economy slowing down precipitously in July. Market watchers are increasingly seeing a potential 50 basis point (bps) cut in September with potentially even more cuts after that.
Invesco Dorsey Wright SmallCap Momentum ETF holds 199 small caps selected and weighted based on a proprietary momentum score. The DWAS ETF is overweight in industrials and healthcare, but well-diversified across holdings. Based on quality metrics and price history, DWAS has a high-risk/high-reward profile.