On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi's Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the ETF, in order to give investors a deeper understanding of it.
VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” For more news, information, and strategy, visit the ETF Investing Content Hub.
Beyond the Mega Caps: Advisors Eye Small- and Mid-Cap Strategies The strong run by the Nasdaq-100 and the S&P 500 the last few years has loaded portfolios with heavy concentration risk. As a tiny group of mega cap tech giants shapes the market, finding meaningful diversification has become a priority for advisors.
| Name | Quantity | Cost | Value | Profit ($) | Gain (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TJD Thomas John Drogan PR Inc.IPAL SECURITIES Inc. | 57,625 | $1.72M | $2.12M | $404,255.68 | 23.56% |
| JD Jim Dushek HARBOUR INVESTMENTS Inc. | 23,662 | $650,548.83 | $865,792.58 | $215,243.75 | 33.09% |
Jeff Ameen Spire Wealth Management | 743 | $21,006.61 | $27,320.11 | $6,313.5 | 30.05% |
Alexandria Fry Dentgroup LLC | 78,511 | $2.23M | $2.87M | $646,903.12 | 29.07% |
Jason E. Archambault SK Wealth Management LLC | 174,090 | $4.72M | $6.37M | $1.65M | 34.95% |
| BATS Exchange | US Country |
The investment strategy of FFSM primarily focuses on identifying investment opportunities among global mid- and small-cap companies utilizing a blend of growth and value investing principles. The selection process relies heavily on both fundamental and quantitative analysis to choose companies based on their financial health, position within their industry, and broader economic conditions. FFSM employs a Tracking Basket Structure, which enables the fund to mimic its daily performance, offering arbitrage possibilities and aiming to reduce the risk associated with front-running. Despite its innovative approach to tracking performance and safeguarding investor interests, the non-transparent nature of the fund, which involves disclosing holdings on a monthly basis with a 30-day delay, could lead to wider bid-ask spreads. This unique characteristic is a critical point for potential investors to consider. Originally operating under the name Fidelity Small-Mid Cap Opportunities ETF with the ticker FSMO until February 26, 2024, this fund has transitioned to its current focus and operation methodology, signaling a strategic shift in its investment approach.
Global Mid- and Small-Cap Equity Investments: FFSM specializes in selecting and investing in global mid- and small-cap companies. The investment team applies a comprehensive analysis framework, combining both growth and value investment factors, to identify companies with the potential for significant returns. This approach aims to balance risk and reward by focusing on companies with strong financial fundamentals and competitive positioning within their respective industries.
Tracking Basket Structure: This innovative feature of FFSM serves as a proxy for the actual fund holdings, including a mix of disclosed holdings, a substantial portion of the actual investments, and cash. The primary purpose of this structure is to approximate the fund's daily performance, thereby enabling effective arbitrage opportunities for traders and mitigating the risk of front-running. It's a strategic tool designed to protect the fund's performance and investor interests while navigating the challenges posed by the non-transparent reporting of holdings.
Investment Strategy Using Fundamental and Quantitative Analysis: FFSM's investment methodology stands out by leveraging a dual-analysis approach. Fundamental analysis involves a deep dive into the financial statements and health of potential investment companies, assessing their viability and sustainability. Quantitative analysis, on the other hand, focuses on statistical models to evaluate market trends, economic conditions, and other quantifiable factors that might affect the performance of the investments. This rigorous analytical practice aims to ensure that the fund's portfolio is well-positioned to achieve its growth and value creation objectives.