SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN)
FLRN: Simple Cash-Plus ETF, Stable Share Price, Good Dividend Yield
Federal Reserve rates remain elevated, as do yields on cash and similar investments. FLRN invests in floating rate notes. Similar characteristics to t-bills, with a little bit more in risk, a little bit more in income. It yields 5.1%, and is a solid choice for more risk-averse investors.
FLRN: Caution Warranted (Rating Downgrade)
FLRN underperformed peers during the April 2025 sell-off and offers a yield only marginally above Fed Funds, limiting its upside. The ETF's heavy exposure to financials increases risk, especially in a recession or if spreads widen, despite its high credit quality. Alternatives like NEAR and SHY provide better risk-reward, especially as rate cuts loom and FLRN's yield premium narrows.
FLRN: What Is Next For This Floating Rate Fund (Rating Downgrade)
The thesis argues that FLRN, a floating rate ETF, is likely to underperform in a falling interest rate environment. The thesis highlights the strong historical performance of FLRN, the anticipated Fed rate cuts, and the potential negative impact of falling rates on FLRN's floating rate exposure. While some market participants are pricing a 50 bps September 2024 Fed cut, our base case predicts only 25 bps, with cuts at each Fed meeting after.
FLRN: Simple Investment-Grade Floating Rate ETF, Good 5.9% Yield
FLRN invests in floating rate investment-grade bonds, resulting in a stable share price and low volatility. The fund currently offers a 5.9% dividend yield, making it a buy for short-term or risk-averse investors. FLRN's performance track-record is reasonably good, with prospective long-term returns in the 2.5% - 4.0% range depending on Fed policy.
