Value ETFs Are Gaining Momentum Against Growth Rivals

In this article:

This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.

Large-cap value stocks outperformed their growth rivals in July, something that has not been a regular occurrence during the current bull market in U.S. equities. August is not over yet, but there some data points suggest value could again top growth this month.

Value stocks usually trade at lower prices relative to fundamental measures of value, like earnings and the book value of assets. On the other hand, growth-oriented stocks tend to run at higher valuations since investors expect the rapid growth in those company measures, but more are growing wary of high valuations.

Investors who are interested in rotating out of the growth style and into the value theme have a number of options to choose from. Plain vanilla index ETFs that track the value theme have underperformed so far this year. The iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) , which tracks value stocks taken from the large-cap Russell 1000 Index, is trending higher.

The same is true of the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) , which tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, and the Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV) , which tracks value stocks taken from the S&P 500 index.

Vaunted Value

Weakness in some FANG stocks is prompting investors to revisit value fare and the related ETFs.

“In the last four weeks, the Russell 1000 Value Index has outperformed its growth counterpart by the largest monthly margin since September 2017, thanks in part to stumbles in Facebook and Netflix shares that stemmed from slowing user growth. Moreover, disappointing second-quarter results have reignited fears the tech giants, which have been responsible for much of the equity market’s gains this year, are becoming vulnerable,” reports Reuters.

Value investing is a popular long-term investment strategy. Value stocks have historically outperformed growth stocks, or companies with high earnings expectations, in almost every market over the long-haul. For instance, the MSCI USA Value Index has outperformed the MSCI USA Growth Index by an annualized 81 basis points since 1974 through September 2015.

“Value stocks are even more attractive on a relative basis, fund managers said. The gap between forward price-to-earnings ratios for the two categories has swelled to the widest level in the past 15 years,” according to Reuters.

For more on smart beta ETFs, visit our Smart Beta Channel.

POPULAR ARTICLES FROM ETFTRENDS.COM

READ MORE AT ETFTRENDS.COM >

Advertisement