Despite being an actively managed fund with a "bottom-up" selection process, Principal Active High Yield ETF has consistently trailed passive benchmarks like HYG and JNK over the past year. YLD maintains a high-risk profile with roughly 20% allocation to CCC-rated credits and 40% to single-B names. At a 6.75% SEC yield, investors are not being sufficiently compensated for the underlying credit risk.
YLD joins the boom of active ETFs, presenting itself as a solution in the high-yield field, a segment that, in my opinion, must be approached actively. YLD employs a concentrated, high-conviction credit selection strategy, focusing on B/BB-rated bonds and selective CCC exposure to generate alpha. It does so by keeping a duration anchored to the benchmark, but actively selecting securities within the reference credit pool.
Active high-yield ETFs are gaining traction as investors seek flexibility amid tight credit spreads and potential market events. Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) offers strong historical returns, a high Sharpe ratio, and a competitive 0.39% expense ratio. YLD's portfolio is diversified but has a notably high allocation to risky CCC-rated credits, increasing potential downside in volatile markets.
| Name | Quantity | Cost | Value | Profit ($) | Gain (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TJD Thomas John Drogan PR Inc.IPAL SECURITIES Inc. | 3.34M | $64.09M | $63.14M | -$944,877.56 | -1.47% |
| JD Jim Dushek HARBOUR INVESTMENTS Inc. | 79 | $1,515.22 | $1,494.28 | -$20.94 | -1.38% |
| AC Adam Claypool First Community Trust Na | 1,337 | $26,111.53 | $25,302.72 | -$808.81 | -3.1% |
| KMT Kirk M. Tokheim Ameritas Advisory Services LLC | 64,878 | $1.24M | $1.23M | -$10,052.69 | -0.81% |
| CAL CoreCap Advisors LLC CoreCap Advisors LLC | 902 | $17,170.46 | $17,079.37 | -$91.09 | -0.53% |
| ARCA Exchange | US Country |
The fund operates as an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF), primarily focusing on investments in below-investment grade fixed income securities. Commonly referred to as "junk" or "high yield" securities, these investments carry a higher risk but potentially offer higher returns compared to investment-grade securities. The fund's strategic approach to investment seeks to optimize returns by allocating a significant portion of its assets into various forms of high-yield fixed income instruments, including bonds and bank loans. By doing so, it aims to cater to investors looking for potentially higher income generation from their investment portfolios, while managing the risks associated with below-investment grade investments.
This category encompasses bonds and bank loans that are rated below investment grade, commonly known as "junk" bonds. These securities are considered riskier than investment-grade bonds but offer higher potential returns. The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in these securities, seeking to leverage the higher income potential while actively managing the increased risk.
As part of its diversification strategy, the fund invests in U.S. Treasury securities. These government-backed securities are known for their safety and liquidity, providing a stabilizing component to the fund's portfolio. This inclusion helps mitigate the overall risk without significantly compromising the potential for returns.
Investment grade bank loans, or senior floating rate interests, represent another facet of the fund's investment portfolio. These are loans made to companies that are deemed to have a lower risk of default. The "floating rate" aspect means that the interest payments on these loans adjust with market rates, potentially offering protection against rising interest rates. This contributes to income generation while managing interest rate risk.
Preferred securities are a type of investment that typically offer higher dividend payments compared to common stocks and have priority over common stocks in the event of a bankruptcy. Including preferred securities in the portfolio allows the fund to tap into additional sources of income, boosting its yield potential while providing a measure of downside protection.