XRT: Retail Has Been Under Pressure. It Will Likely Stay That Way
Summary
- Evaluating SPDR S&P Retail ETF as an investment option at its current market price, focusing on its alignment with the S&P Retail Select Industry Index.
- Retail can offer significant "alpha" for well-timed buys, but I've been cautious and reluctant to gamble on this sector.
- Despite reasonable performance over time, retail gains pale compared to the broader market, justifying my focus elsewhere.
- Bottom line: XRT has not been compelling enough for me to shift my investment strategy toward the retail sector.
- This idea was discussed in more depth with members of my private investing community, CEF/ETF Income Laboratory. Learn More »
I am a macro-focused investor with 15 years experience working in Financial Services. My niche is finding under-valued sectors and thematic ideas (metals, gold, crypto) at opportune entry points.
The first half of my career was in New York, working professionally after college (BS - Finance and D1 Men's Tennis). I relocated to North Carolina for graduate school (MBA) and employment. I am fortunate to spend half my time in Charlotte and half in Asheville.
I grew up in a middle-class family where a strong work ethic was mandatory (German/Slovak mother). I went to college with $10,000 to my name and I thought that was all the money in the world. Twenty years later, I'm fortunate enough to co-manage a seven-figure investment account with my wife, who is also an astute investor. I'm literally living proof that diligent saving and investing can be life changing.
I make a habit of keeping my portfolio up-to-date, which my followers can see here. I take pride in writing about funds, stocks, and sectors that I actually follow and invest in, and I believe my followers appreciate that approach.
Broad market: DIA, VOO, QQQM, RSP
Sectors/Non-US: XLE/IXC; VPU/IDU/BUI, FEZ, SCHF, EWC
Alternatives: Bitcoin, IAU (Gold)
Stocks: JPM, MCD, WMT, FLUT, MAA
Debt: BGT, Municipal bonds from North Carolina
I also contribute to the investing group CEF/ETF Income Laboratory where I specialize in macro analysis. Features of CEF/ETF Income Laboratory include: managed income portfolios (targeting safe and reliable ~8% yields) making use of high-yield opportunities in the CEF and ETF fund space. These are geared toward both active and passive investors of all experience levels. The vast majority of holdings are also monthly-payers, for faster compounding and steady income streams. Other features include 24/7 chat, and trade alerts. Learn more.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of QQQ, VOO, DIA, IAU either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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