

Managing downside risk in portfolios has been a big theme this year as we navigate uncertainty in the face of a presidential election, the expectation of rate cuts as Federal Reserve monetary policy shifts, and geopolitical tensions across the globe. Buffer ETFs, as a category, have risen to that challenge.

In this article, we explore the basics of buffer ETFs and share our thoughts on why we think these ETFs could be a powerful tool for managing risk. By selecting a buffer ETF with a predefined payoff profile that best matches one's preferences, one can achieve the equivalent of a customized option strategy to position for a pullback. The ideal scenario for using buffer ETFs would be when the market has performed exceptionally well and is at risk of a potential pullback.

Hello, VettaFi Voices! Whenever I read about the economy in 2023, the one word that comes up repeatedly in various forms is “uncertain.

Once upon a time, dividends played a starring role in equity markets—until 14 years of easy money whetted investors' appetite for risk and created a massive tailwind for unprofitable, long-duration growth stocks. Valuations appear to be attractive: Stocks yielding north of 2.5% are trading near their largest discount to the equity market in recent memory.

The S&P 500 Index has rebounded sharply off its previous low in October, closing up 14% on Feb. 17 since October's trough. The market could continue to rally, of course.

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The VIX climbed above 40 on Wednesday, reflecting investors' growing concerns.

Performance in the high yield market hasn't been quite as strong as the S&P 500. While total return levels in the high yield market are important to track, spreads in high yield debt relative to treasuries provide a more useful barometer.
SEC filings for BOCT aren't indexed yet — common for recently launched funds. Browse the issuer's filings on SEC EDGAR directly.