Level Four Large Cap Growth Active ETF

LGRO

Market cap $118M

LGRO is a relatively new large-cap growth ETF with a 0.50% expense ratio, a 0.28% median bid-ask spread, and $86 million in assets under management. Following a proprietary high-conviction investment strategy, the fund's manager selects 40-50 securities perceived to be trading below their long-term intrinsic value. The approach supposedly emphasizes growth, value, and quality, but my fundamental analysis indicates LGRO's combination is the weakest in a peer group that includes SCHG, SPYG, SFY, and QGRO.

We've been marveling at the traction actively managed ETFs are enjoying this year. As a category, we've seen active ETFs take in about 1/3 of all net asset inflows year-to-date.

The ongoing narrative around the strength of large-cap equities will continue to center around forthcoming rate cuts. Once the Federal Reserve receives the economic data it needs to loosen monetary policy and hit its inflation goal of 2%, it could propel growth-oriented large-cap stocks into the stratosphere.