What is the  ASET ETF ?
5 min read
By Ron Koren, ETF Insider

What is the ASET ETF ?

In today's fast-paced financial world, investors are constantly seeking opportunities to diversify their portfolios and achieve higher returns. One popular avenue for achieving these objectives is through Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). In this article, we will take a closer look at the ASET ETF, understanding its underlying assets, exposure, benefits, and considerations before investing.
The ASET ETF is a unique financial instrument that operates as a fund of funds. Its primary investment strategy involves investing in shares of other FlexShares® ETFs, which are collectively referred to as "Underlying Funds." These Underlying Funds, in turn, seek investment results corresponding to their respective underlying indexes. Unlike investing in individual company securities, the ASET ETF focuses on global "real assets." These real assets are physical or tangible assets such as commodities, precious metals, oil, and real estate.

ASET ETF Underlying and Exposure: What does it track and how?

The ASET ETF derives its value from a strategic allocation to the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own risk profile, and the combination of these funds contributes to the overall risk profile of the ASET ETF. The Underlying Funds predominantly invest in equity securities traded in global developed or emerging markets, including the U.S. Additionally, certain Underlying Funds may invest in publicly-traded units of master limited partnerships (MLPs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
The Underlying Index is designed to optimize the allocation to the Underlying Funds, providing exposure to real assets while minimizing overall investment volatility. The composition and weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index are determined by NTI, the Index Provider, and the investment adviser to both the ASET ETF and the Underlying Funds.

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ASET ETF: Benefits of Investing

Investing in the ASET ETF offers several advantages for investors seeking diversified exposure to real assets. Firstly, the fund of funds structure allows for broader diversification across multiple asset classes, reducing specific company risks. Secondly, real assets historically provide a hedge against inflation, making the ASET ETF an attractive option during uncertain economic periods. Lastly, the passive indexing approach followed by the ASET ETF ensures cost-effectiveness and long-term tracking of its underlying index.

ASET ETF: Considerations Before Investing

While the ASET ETF presents compelling benefits, investors should carefully consider certain factors before making their investment decisions. As with any investment, the past performance of the ASET ETF and its Underlying Funds does not guarantee future results. Moreover, the volatility of investment in the Underlying Funds may lead to periodic rebalancing of the portfolio, affecting the weights of individual Underlying Funds. Additionally, it is important for investors to review the ASET ETF's industry concentration policy and any potential focus on specific countries or geographic regions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the ASET ETF provides investors with an opportunity to gain exposure to real assets through a diversified fund of funds approach. Its underlying structure and passive indexing methodology make it an appealing choice for those seeking to invest in real assets while managing risk. However, investors should conduct thorough research and consider their risk tolerance before investing in the ASET ETF or any financial instrument.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide investment advisory services. Investing in ETFs involves risks, and individuals should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.

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FAQ

  • What is the ASET ETF?

    The ASET ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund ("ETF") that aims to achieve its investment objective by investing in foreign and domestic growth-oriented equity securities, domestic investment-grade fixed income securities, domestic real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities (gold) securities through unaffiliated ETFs.

  • How does the ASET ETF determine its asset allocation?

    The ASET ETF uses proprietary quantitative models with discretionary implementation to rank five major asset classes, including U.S. stocks, foreign stocks of developed countries, real estate, gold, and U.S. aggregate bonds, based on the strongest price momentum. It allocates equal weightings to the three highest-ranked asset classes and excludes the two lowest-ranked asset classes from its portfolio.

  • What types of securities are included in the ASET ETF?

    The ASET ETF includes a mix of foreign and domestic growth-oriented equity securities, investment-grade fixed income securities (bonds) of any maturity or duration, domestic real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities (gold) securities through investments in other ETFs.

  • How often does the ASET ETF adjust its holdings?

    The ASET ETF adjusts its holdings monthly based on its proprietary quantitative models, which assess the price momentum of the five major asset classes. The weighting for each asset class in the portfolio depends on prevailing market conditions, with a maximum weight of 33.33% for any one asset class.

  • What is the investment strategy of the ASET ETF?

    The ASET ETF's investment strategy focuses on capitalizing on price momentum in different asset classes. It aims to hold the three highest-ranked asset classes at any given time, with the flexibility to invest in U.S. Treasuries and U.S. short-term bonds when fewer than three asset classes meet the price momentum criteria.