The Small Cap Growth style ranks eleventh out of the twelve fund styles as detailed in our 2Q17 Style Ratings for ETFs and Mutual Funds report. Last quarter, the Small Cap Growth style ranked eighth. It gets our Dangerous rating, which is based on an aggregation of ratings of 12 ETFs and 392 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth style as of April 25, 2017. See a recap of our 1Q17 Style Ratings here.
Figures 1 and 2 show the five best and worst rated ETFs and mutual funds in the style. Not all Small Cap Growth style ETFs and mutual funds are created the same. The number of holdings varies widely (from 21 to 1176). This variation creates drastically different investment implications and, therefore, ratings.
Investors seeking exposure to the Small Cap Growth style should buy one of the Attractive-or-better rated ETFs or mutual funds from Figures 1 and 2.
Our Robo-Analyst technology empowers our unique ETF and mutual fund rating methodology, which leverages our rigorous analysis of each fund’s holdings. We think advisors and investors focused on prudent investment decisions should include analysis of fund holdings in their research process for ETFs and mutual funds.
Figure 1: ETFs with the Best & Worst Ratings – Top 5
* Best ETFs exclude ETFs with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
Figure 2: Mutual Funds with the Best & Worst Ratings – Top 5
* Best mutual funds exclude funds with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
River Oak Discovery Fund (RIVSX) is excluded from the best mutual funds section in Figure 2 because its total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums.
Guggenheim Invest S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth (NYSE:RFG) is the top-rated Small Cap Growth ETF and AB Small Cap Core Z (SCRZX) is the top-rated Small Cap Growth mutual fund. Both earn an Attractive rating.
First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX (NASDAQ:FYC) is the worst rated Small Cap Growth ETF and Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FRMPX) is the worst rated Small Cap Growth mutual fund. FYC earns a Dangerous rating and FRMPX earns a Very Dangerous rating.
The Danger Within
Buying a fund without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business and finances. Put another way, research on fund holdings is necessary due diligence because a fund’s performance is only as good as its holdings’ performance. Don’t just take our word for it, see what Barron’s says on this matter.
PERFORMANCE OF HOLDINGs = PERFORMANCE OF FUND
Analyzing each holding within funds is no small task. Our Robo-Analyst technology enables us to perform this diligence with scale and provide the research needed to fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. More of the biggest names in the financial industry (see At BlackRock, Machines Are Rising Over Managers to Pick Stocks) are now embracing technology to leverage machines in the investment research process. Technology may be the only solution to the dual mandate for research: cut costs and fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. Investors, clients, advisors and analysts deserve the latest in technology to get the diligence required to make prudent investment decisions.
Figures 3 and 4 show the rating landscape of all Small Cap Growth ETFs and mutual funds.
Figure 3: Separating the Best ETFs From the Worst Funds
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
Figure 4: Separating the Best Mutual Funds From the Worst Funds
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
Disclosure: David Trainer and Kyle Guske II receive no compensation to write about any specific stock, style, or theme.