ETF experts pick top funds for growth, stability
VettaFi’s editorial team met in New York City to explore current trends in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) sector, with participants sharing their preferred tickers and the investment approaches behind them. Their recommendations illustrate the variety of ETF options available, spanning specialized sectors to widely diversified funds.
Global expansion and agricultural investments lead discussions
Todd Rosenbluth, VettaFi’s research director, identified the VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GRIN) as his top choice. Introduced in 2025, GRIN targets non-U.S. companies with strong free cash flow growth, achieving a 19.6% year-to-date gain. Its emphasis on cash flow accumulation supports a long-term growth approach.
Heather Bell, the managing editor, and writer Nick Wodeshick both singled out the VanEck Agribusiness ETF (MOO), which tracks global agricultural and food-related companies through the MVIS Global Agribusiness Index. MOO has delivered a 15.8% year-to-date return. Bell also mentioned the now-defunct Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF (CYA), praising its risk-reduction strategy.
Funds such as MOO and GRIN demonstrate a broader shift toward thematic investing, where investors prioritize exposure to specific industries or strategies over general market movements. This trend aligns with growing interest in tailored asset allocation, particularly among those seeking inflation protection or opportunities tied to structural changes like rising agricultural demand.
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Foundational funds and specialized bets
Writer Zandile Chiwanza and assistant editor Elle Fitzgerald highlighted the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and the State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN). VOO, the largest ETF by assets under management, serves as a core holding for beginners due to its direct S&P 500 tracking. Fitzgerald selected SRLN for its focus on floating-rate senior loans, a sector known for stability during market turbulence.
DJ Shaw and Yasin Mohamud each pointed to sector-specific funds: Shaw recommended Amplify Video Game Leaders (GAMR), which follows the top 20 video game companies by market capitalization, while Mohamud chose the Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). SOXL offers three-times leverage on semiconductor performance, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion. Mohamud referenced VettaFi’s sector research to show this growth.
Dividend strategies, memory chips, and fee-free options
Senior line editor Casper Miller preferred the ALPS Dividend Dogs suite, including the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG), which targets high-yielding stocks. Sherri Scordo, the channel operations manager, favored the Direxion Daily Consumer Discretionary Bull 3X ETF (WANT) for its alignment with consumer spending trends. Jana Ritter, a line editor, noted the Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM), whose ticker creatively represents its focus on memory-chip producers.
The piece’s author also commended the BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) for its zero-fee structure, providing broad exposure to large-cap U.S. stocks at minimal cost. The fund’s simplicity and low expense ratio appeal to investors prioritizing cost efficiency.
