Weekly Channel Summary
The EQ: Specialty ETF channel currently encompasses 79 ETFs across 54 issuers, managing a total of $15.3 billion in assets. Over the past week, the category experienced mild net outflows totaling -$5M. However, the longer-term trend remains firmly positive, with the channel attracting $1.16B in Year-to-Date (YTD) inflows and an impressive $3.47B over the past year.
This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards
This week, both categories within the specialty equity space posted negative returns, but Equity: Specialty – Long | Short fared better, dipping just -0.54% Week-to-Date (WTD) and clinging to a positive 0.12% return for the year. Conversely, Equity: Specialty – Hedged was the primary laggard, dropping -1.51% for the week and pushing its YTD performance further into the red at -2.89%.
Category Performance Snapshot
| Category | WTD | 1 Month | 3 Month | 6 Month | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity: Specialty – Long | Short | -0.54% | -3.02% | 0.30% | 1.10% | 0.12% | 9.26% |
| Equity: Specialty – Hedged | -1.51% | -4.55% | -2.90% | -0.99% | -2.89% | 12.03% |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance
On an individual fund level, the NLSI (NEOS Long/Short Equity Income ETF) claimed the top spot with a strong 2.72% WTD return. On the other end of the spectrum, UPSD (Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF) and LBAY (Leatherback Long/Short Alternative Yield ETF) faced the steepest declines, shedding -3.95% and -3.86%, respectively.
| Ticker | Fund Name | WTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Performers | ||
| NLSI | NEOS Long/Short Equity Income ETF | 2.72% |
| PCR | Simplify VettaFi Private Credit Strategy ETF | 1.67% |
| SHRT | Gotham Short Strategies ETF | 1.44% |
| IALT | iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 1.36% |
| VAMO | Cambria Value & Momentum ETF | 0.96% |
| Bottom Performers | ||
| UPSD | Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF | -3.95% |
| LBAY | Leatherback Long/Short Alternative Yield ETF | -3.86% |
| HFEQ | Unlimited HFEQ Equity Long/Short ETF | -2.77% |
| PRAE | PlanRock Alternative Growth ETF | -2.73% |
| HBTA | Horizon Expedition Plus ETF | -2.69% |
Analyzing the Weekly Flows
The channel saw minor net outflows of -$5M this week. The Equity: Specialty – Long | Short category was the bright spot, gathering $3M in fresh capital to bring its total AUM to $4.6B. Conversely, the Equity: Specialty – Hedged category experienced the largest outflows, shedding -$8M over the five-day period.
Category Flows Summary
| Category | Fund Count | AUM | 5 Day | 30 Day | 90 Day | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity: Specialty – Long | Short | 27 | $4.6B | $3M | $172M | $674M | $657M | $958M |
| Equity: Specialty – Hedged | 52 | $10.8B | -$8M | $65M | $703M | $499M | $2,512M |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow
At the fund level, the CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) led the pack, pulling in a solid $15M in new assets. Conversely, the QBER (TrueShares Quarterly Bear Hedge ETF) and PRAE (PlanRock Alternative Growth ETF) suffered the largest redemptions, losing -$26M and -$11M, respectively.
| Ticker | Fund Name | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Inflows | ||
| CAOS | Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | $15M |
| HELO | JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF | $11M |
| BTAL | AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund | $9M |
| CLSE | Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | $8M |
| FTLS | First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | $4M |
| Outflows | ||
| QBER | TrueShares Quarterly Bear Hedge ETF | -$26M |
| PRAE | PlanRock Alternative Growth ETF | -$11M |
| ORR | Militia Long/Short Equity ETF | -$10M |
| HELS | Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF | -$6M |
| HEQT | Simplify Hedged Equity ETF | -$6M |
Issuer League Table Update
JPMorgan and First Trust maintain their dominant positions in the specialty equity space, controlling 26.82% and 13.91% of the market share, respectively. In terms of weekly asset gathering, Alpha Architect led all issuers with $15M in inflows, while TrueShares faced the stiffest headwinds, recording -$25M in net outflows.
Top 5 Issuers by AUM
| Brand | Fund Count | AUM | AUM Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan | 3 | $4.11B | 26.82% |
| First Trust | 1 | $2.13B | 13.91% |
| Fidelity | 2 | $0.84B | 5.49% |
| Alpha Architect | 2 | $0.65B | 4.25% |
| Simplify | 5 | $0.62B | 4.02% |
Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow
| Brand | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|
| Inflows | |
| Alpha Architect | $15M |
| JPMorgan | $11M |
| AGF | $9M |
| Outflows | |
| TrueShares | -$25M |
| PlanRock | -$11M |
| Militia | -$10M |
For a deeper dive into these trends, access our FREE, in-depth ETF reports in the right side panel of this page.
Disclosures
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. All investments, including ETFs, involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.
This analysis was developed by the team at ETF Action. We leverage advanced AI tools to assist in the drafting and refinement of our content, based on our expert prompts, direction, and final review.
