How does this ETFâs benchmark composition (largeâcap, techâfocused equities and 3â10 year treasuries) compare to similar multiâasset products globally?
The KGI USâŻTopâŻBalanced ETF is anchored to the NYSEâŻTPexâŻ70â30 EquityâTopâŻ10âŻNâListedâŻ&âŻTreasuryâŻ3â10âŻYear Balanced Index, which splits roughly 70âŻ% into largeâcap, technologyâheavy U.S. stocks (e.g., Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia) and 30âŻ% into intermediateâterm U.S. Treasuries. Globally, the few multiâasset ETFs that blend equities and bondsâsuch as VanguardâŻBalanced Index (60/40), iSharesâŻCoreâŻGrowth/Value (70/30) or the MSCIâŻWorldâŻBalanced Indexâtend to be sectorâneutral on the equity side and creditâdiversified on the fixedâincome side (mixing government, corporate, and sometimes emergingâmarket bonds). By contrast, KGIâs benchmark is tilted heavily toward growthâoriented, highâbeta tech names and relies solely on âcleanâ Treasury yields, giving it a higher equityâbeta and a more pronounced interestârate sensitivity than the broader, lowerâbeta global balanced funds.
From a marketâdynamic perspective, this composition means the ETF will track the upsideâdownside of the U.S. tech cycle more closely than a typical balanced product. In a riskâon environmentâwhere the Fedâs policy rate is stable or easing and tech earnings are expandingâthe 70âŻ% tech exposure can deliver strong totalâreturn momentum, while the 3â10âŻyr Treasuries provide a modest âfloorâ and a modest yield boost. Conversely, in a tightening cycle or when valuation concerns curb tech multiples, the Treasury slice will magnify the fundâs duration exposure, pulling performance down as yields rise and Treasury prices fall. This dualâsensitivity is less pronounced in global balanced ETFs that dilute the equity tilt with defensive sectors and offset Treasury duration with shorterâterm or higherâcoupon government/corporate bonds.
Trading implications
- Shortâterm: Watch the Fedâs rateâpath and inflation data. A hawkish stance will pressure the 3â10âŻyr Treasury component; a dovish turn can lift the fundâs netâasset value even if tech momentum stalls.
- Mediumâterm: Assess U.S. tech valuation metrics (P/E, P/S) and earnings growth trends. If multiples look stretched, consider a partial hedge (e.g., shortâterm Treasury futures or a lowâbeta balanced ETF) to offset the equityâbeta.
- Positioning: For investors seeking a growthâbiased balanced exposure with a cleanâcredit profile, the ETF offers a higher expected return than a typical 60/40 balanced fund, but it also carries a higher volatility envelope. Allocate a modest size (â€âŻ10âŻ% of a diversified portfolio) or use it as a core holding for a âtechâplusâdurationâ tilt while maintaining separate, sectorâneutral balanced or multiâcurrency ETFs for true diversification.