Behind the Ticker

In a recent episode of Behind the Ticker, Dan Petersen, Head of Product Management at New York Life Investments, discussed the firm’s international equity strategy and the mechanics behind the NYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF (ticker: HFXI). With over two decades in the industry, Petersen has held various roles in financial advisory and ETF distribution, playing a key role in the growth of IndexIQ before its acquisition by New York Life in 2015. Since then, he has focused on product development, helping expand the firm’s ETF offerings.

HFXI was designed to provide a balanced approach to international investing by hedging 50% of currency exposure while maintaining full equity market exposure. Petersen explained that historically, investors in international equities had to accept full currency exposure by default, which could add or detract significantly from returns depending on currency fluctuations. Fully hedged products emerged to remove this risk entirely, but many investors found it difficult to time when to hedge and when not to. HFXI was created to offer a middle ground—allowing investors to benefit from currency movements when favorable while reducing the risk of extreme fluctuations.

The fund achieves this partial hedge by using forward contracts that are rolled monthly, adjusting for changes in currency valuations. Petersen highlighted that currency exposure can have a substantial impact on performance, often contributing or detracting by as much as 600 to 1,000 basis points annually. By hedging half the exposure, HFXI aims to smooth out volatility while still allowing investors to participate in foreign currency strength when it occurs. This strategy is particularly beneficial in periods of global economic stability when foreign currencies tend to appreciate, as well as in risk-off environments where excessive currency exposure can compound equity drawdowns.

Petersen positioned HFXI as a long-term core allocation within international equity portfolios. Advisors can use it as a standalone replacement for unhedged international ETFs or pair it with traditional market-cap-weighted international funds to create a customized level of currency exposure. He also pointed out that international equities currently present a compelling valuation opportunity, with price-to-earnings ratios at historically attractive discounts compared to U.S. markets. Given the extreme valuation gap between U.S. and international stocks, he suggested that now may be an opportune time for investors to consider increasing international exposure.

In a recent episode of Behind the Ticker, Adam Patti, founder and CEO of VistaShares, discussed the launch of the VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (ticker: AIS) and how it differentiates itself in the growing AI investment space. With over two decades in the ETF industry, Patti previously founded IndexIQ, one of the earliest issuers of liquid alternative ETFs, which was later acquired by New York Life. After spending several years outside the industry, Patti partnered with John McNeil of DVX Ventures to launch VistaShares, focusing on building high-quality thematic ETFs with a more thoughtful and targeted approach.

Patti explained that AIS is designed to provide pure exposure to the AI supercycle by focusing exclusively on the infrastructure driving artificial intelligence, particularly in data centers and semiconductors. Unlike many AI-themed ETFs that hold broad tech exposure dominated by the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, AIS takes a supply chain-driven approach, investing in companies that manufacture the essential components—such as GPUs, VRAMs, cooling systems, and fiber optic networks—needed to power AI. By analyzing the bill of materials for AI data centers and semiconductors, VistaShares identifies companies with substantial AI-driven revenue, ensuring that the fund is directly tied to AI growth rather than being diluted by large-cap tech names with only partial AI exposure.

AIS follows a rules-based, actively managed strategy that combines systematic supply chain analysis with an active overlay. The core portfolio is constructed based on a transparent, rules-driven methodology—one that VistaShares has filed for a patent on—ensuring that holdings are determined by their relevance to AI infrastructure rather than arbitrary weightings. The fund undergoes a semi-annual rebalance, but Patti emphasized that the active overlay allows for adjustments in response to new developments in the rapidly evolving AI space. The investment committee, which includes AI industry practitioners such as former Tesla president John McNeil and AI entrepreneur Sonny Madra, helps identify emerging trends, new players, and risks within the AI ecosystem before they become widely recognized.

Patti also highlighted the global nature of the AI supply chain, with AIS holding companies from the U.S., Taiwan, China, and Europe. Currently, about 60% of the portfolio is U.S.-based, with the remainder distributed across key AI manufacturing hubs. Looking ahead, VistaShares has the flexibility to expand the portfolio’s focus, potentially incorporating consumer-facing AI applications and energy solutions as the industry matures. However, for now, the fund remains centered on AI infrastructure, which Patti believes is still in the early stages of exponential growth, as evidenced by record-breaking capital expenditures from major tech firms.

For investors and advisors looking to incorporate AIS into portfolios, Patti suggested a 3-5% allocation within a core equity strategy, positioning it as a high-conviction growth satellite.

In a recent episode of “Behind the Ticker,” Garrett Stevens and Rich Malinowski from Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC) discussed the firm’s unique position as the first white-label ETF issuer and its role in supporting clients from concept to launch. ETC, which has been operating for 13 years, has launched over 100 ETFs with a combined $7.5 billion in assets under management. The firm provides a turnkey platform for ETF issuers, handling everything from regulatory filings and portfolio management to marketing and website development, while also offering individual services for established funds.
Stevens highlighted a growing trend in the ETF industry: wealth management firms launching their own ETFs based on existing strategies. This shift allows advisors to offer tax-efficient, liquid, and operationally streamlined investment vehicles to their clients. He emphasized that these advisor-driven ETFs are often not marketed publicly but are used as tools to enhance the client experience and differentiate wealth management firms from competitors.
The conversation also touched on the growing popularity of actively managed ETFs, which now account for about 75% of new launches. Stevens explained that while thematic and passive ETFs dominated early growth, the focus is now shifting toward active strategies that allow for sector rotation, cross-asset class exposure, and unique management styles. He noted that active ETFs require a longer runway for success, as they often depend on performance to attract investors, contrasting with the quicker adoption of thematic passive products.
Rich Malinowski added insights on mutual fund-to-ETF conversions and semi-transparent ETF structures. He explained that while mutual fund conversions have slowed due to operational challenges and intermediary resistance, they remain an area of interest. Additionally, semi-transparent ETFs face hurdles related to their limited visibility for market makers and custodians, but Malinowski expects gradual acceptance as the industry adapts to these innovative products.
Both Stevens and Malinowski emphasized the importance of preparation and infrastructure for ETF issuers. They advised aspiring ETF managers to secure sufficient assets at launch, target a $30 million breakeven point, and build strong relationships with service providers to ensure operational success.

In a recent episode of “Behind the Ticker,” Sylvia Jablonski, CEO & CIO of Defiance ETFs, shared her background in finance and the innovative strategies driving the firm’s success. Jablonski, who has a rich history in sales & trading and a decade of experience with ETFs, decided to join Matt Bielski to help launch Defiance, a company that aims to create ETFs targeting cutting-edge themes. Over the last four and a half years, Defiance has grown significantly, expanding its product lineup to include thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs.
Jablonski discusses the firm’s thematic approach, with a special focus on their quantum computing ETF, QTUM. Launched in 2018, QTUM was ahead of the curve in recognizing the potential of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Jablonski explains that Defiance worked with Bluestar to construct an index that includes the top companies in quantum computing and AI, from major players like IBM and Hewlett-Packard to smaller, pure-play names like IonQ and D-Wave. The fund offers investors diversified exposure to the key sectors driving these transformative technologies.
The QTUM ETF targets companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue from supercomputing, machine learning, and AI. The fund holds around 70 equally weighted names and is rebalanced semi-annually, providing exposure to both large and small-cap companies. This includes established tech giants like Nvidia and Google, which act as a ballast for the fund, while also capturing the potential high growth of emerging players in quantum computing. Jablonski highlights that quantum computing’s ability to process data exponentially faster than traditional computers can revolutionize industries such as biotech, aerospace, and defense, making QTUM a powerful thematic play for long-term growth.
In addition to discussing QTUM, Jablonski touches on the overall strategy at Defiance, emphasizing the importance of speed, adaptability, and listening to market demands. She explains that Defiance’s ability to be nimble and respond quickly to trends has been key to their success. The firm has also built an in-house marketing and distribution platform, leveraging AI and digital marketing to efficiently promote its ETFs. This unique approach has allowed Defiance to punch above its weight, attracting attention in a competitive market without the extensive budgets of larger issuers.

In the latest episode of Behind the Ticker, Brad Roth engages with Simeon Hyman from ProShares, delving into the intricate world of ETFs and the innovative strategies behind them. Hyman, with over three decades of experience in asset and wealth management, discusses his role at ProShares, a firm that manages around $65 billion across various ETF solutions. The conversation highlights Hyman's personal interests, such as music and outdoor activities, providing a glimpse into the individual behind the professional expertise.

A significant focus of the episode is on ISPY, ProShares' unique covered call ETF that leverages daily options, a novel approach aiming to optimize investor returns while generating income. Unlike traditional monthly covered call strategies that might cap gains early in the month, ISPY's daily options strategy seeks to capture the full potential of the S&P 500's performance. Hyman elaborates on the competitive yield and monthly distribution of ISPY, positioning it as an attractive option for investors looking to incorporate income generation into their equity portfolios. He also addresses the risk profile associated with ISPY, aligning primarily with the S&P 500, and outlines how the ETF can fit into investors' core equity holdings.

The conversation also touches on the broader ETF market, with Hyman speculating on the future of covered call ETFs and ProShares' commitment to innovation. For listeners interested in the intersection of investment strategy and innovation within the ETF space, this episode provides valuable insights into one of the leading firms in the industry and their approach to creating investment solutions that meet the evolving needs of investors.