iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF

AOA

Market cap $2.59B

iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF offers a low-cost, diversified 80/20 equity-to-bond allocation for long-term passive investors. AOA's portfolio is heavily weighted toward US equities, with significant international and emerging market exposure, benefiting from recent Fed rate cuts. The ETF's passive strategy may limit flexibility, versus active allocation, but serves as a single-point solution for hands-off investors.

AOA has delivered strong returns since our initial 'Buy', but current equity valuations are stretched, prompting a downgrade to 'Hold'. The ETF's 80/20 equity-bond allocation offers aggressive growth, but exposes investors to deeper drawdowns during market downturns. Investors can efficiently reduce risk by reallocating to more conservative iShares funds like AOM or AOK, which have higher bond exposure.

For investors seeking momentum, iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF AOA is probably on the radar. The fund just hit a 52-week high and is up 17.65% from its 52-week low price of $68.45/share.

Volatile markets revive interest in multi-asset ETFs like AOR, AOA, AOM, AOK and MDIV for balanced growth, income and diversification.

The S&P 500 is down 19% from its peak, and long-term bonds are 5% below recent highs, causing investor concern. iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF has 80% in stocks and 20% in bonds, making it suitable for long-term growth with some diversification. Consider trimming AOA due to high stock exposure and potential for significant drawdowns; a dynamic de-risking strategy based on price action and volatility is recommended.

Balanced exchange-traded funds (ETFs) allow investors exposure to equities and fixed-income instruments, providing increased market leverage and buoyancy. The iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF applies the traditional 80/split, with the majority of holdings weighted towards U.S. equities, International equities, U.S. bonds, cash, and derivatives. A multi-market approach ensures that investors have exposure to a variety of instruments, which spreads risks more effectively and reduces the burden on returns.

AOA iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF offers a balanced, low-cost, and globally diversified portfolio, ideal for a "set it and forget it" investment strategy. The ETF's 80/20 equity to fixed income split reduces volatility and drawdown, making it suitable for investors wary of market fluctuations. AOA's expense ratio of 0.15% is competitive, avoiding high fees associated with actively managed funds, enhancing long-term returns.

iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) has a high expense ratio of 0.15%, but buying its components individually results in a much lower average expense ratio of 0.044%. The fixed income component of AOA, specifically iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (IUSB), has a high duration of 5.8 years, making it sensitive to interest rate changes and inflation. AOA's equity component is driven by AI excitement.

Market volatility roared back in recent weeks on growing inflation worries, the uncertain timing of Fed rate cuts and escalating geopolitical tension in the Middle East. The combination of these factors has made investors jittery, compelling them to revisit their portfolios.

iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF is a fund of funds implementing a 80/20 allocation model in global equities and bonds. The AOA ETF has an exposure to foreign securities of about 35%, which implies some currency risk. AOA has performed well compared to other multi-asset tactical ETFs, but strategies based on the negative correlation of stocks and bonds are questionable.