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

What is the RAFE ETF ?

In the world of finance, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have gained significant popularity as investment instruments. They offer diversified exposure to various assets, making them attractive to both seasoned investors and beginners. Among the plethora of ETFs available, the RAFE ETF stands out as an intriguing option worth exploring. In this article, we will delve into the RAFE ETF and uncover its underlying components, investment strategy, benefits, and considerations before investing.

RAFE ETF: Overview

The RAFE ETF is designed to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in the component securities of the RAFI ESG US Index, also known as the "Underlying Index." The RAFI ESG US Index is a long-only, smart beta index that seeks to combine social responsibility and long-horizon outperformance of the broad market. The ETF invests primarily in companies that demonstrate strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, while avoiding those with significant involvement in industries like tobacco, gaming, weapons, and fossil fuels.

RAFE ETF: Underlying and Exposure

The RAFE ETF focuses on companies in the large/mid company universe, ranking in the top 86% of cumulative fundamental weight. To construct the Underlying Index, the Index Provider uses the Fundamental Index™ approach, which involves contrarian indexing and disciplined rebalancing. Eligible securities are selected based on fundamental weight, incorporating accounting measures such as de-levered sales, cash flow, dividend plus buybacks, and book value.
To evaluate a company's ESG score, the Underlying Index uses signals related to environment, social, governance, diversity, and financial discipline. Data provided by Vigeo Eiris, a third-party ESG data and ratings provider, is used to assess hundreds of factors within a sustainability framework. Companies with high ESG scores are overweighted in the index, while those with poor scores are excluded.

RAFE overlap What is the  RAFE ETF ?RAFE overlap What is the RAFE ETF ?

RAFE ETF: Benefits to Invest in this ETF

The [RAFE ETF] offers several benefits to investors. Firstly, it provides exposure to companies with strong ESG practices, aligning with the growing demand for socially responsible investments. Additionally, the smart beta strategy used by the Underlying Index aims to outperform the broad market over the long term, potentially enhancing returns for investors. Furthermore, the indexing approach employed by the Fund can lead to lower costs and reduced portfolio turnover, compared to actively managed investment funds.

RAFE ETF: Considerations Before Investing

While the [RAFE ETF] presents enticing advantages, investors should be aware of certain considerations. As with any investment, there are inherent risks involved, and the Fund's value may fluctuate based on the performance of its underlying securities. Moreover, the Fund's performance may not precisely track the Underlying Index, especially if it employs a representative sampling strategy. Investors should carefully assess their risk tolerance and investment objectives before considering this ETF.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the [RAFE ETF] offers investors a unique opportunity to gain exposure to companies with strong ESG practices while potentially outperforming the broader market. Its smart beta strategy and focus on sustainability make it an attractive choice for those seeking both financial returns and social responsibility. However, investors should conduct thorough research and consult with financial professionals to determine if this ETF aligns with their investment goals.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. The information provided does not offer any investment advisory services. Investors should conduct their due diligence and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.

Sources:

RAFE ETF issuer
RAFE ETF official page

RAFE quote and analysis

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FAQ

  • What is the RAFE ETF?

    The RAFE ETF, also known as the EntrepreneurShares Fund, is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that primarily invests in companies meeting the highest conviction threshold of the advisor's proprietary Entrepreneur Factor (EF) model.

  • What is the Entrepreneur Factor (EF) model?

    The Entrepreneur Factor (EF) model is a bottom-up investment orientation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that incorporates various investment criteria such as management attributes, sector, growth, value, leverage, market capitalization, momentum, and geographic orientation. It also integrates a macro-economic, top-down approach to identify companies led by dynamic leaders who engage in innovation and create value for shareholders and other stakeholders.

  • What types of companies does the RAFE ETF focus on?

    The RAFE ETF focuses on companies in various sectors that rely on or benefit from the development of new products or services, technological improvements, advancements in scientific research, and thematic areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics, cloud computing, biotech, digital economy, e-commerce, fintech, renewable energy, and more.

  • How does the RAFE ETF actively manage its portfolio?

    The RAFE ETF actively manages its portfolio by identifying companies with entrepreneurial characteristics through the EF model. The advisor seeks to exploit unique cost efficiencies, demand expansions, or disruptive innovations in their respective industries. It generally focuses on sectors like Information Technology, HealthCare, Communication Services, and Consumer Discretionary.

  • What are the ESG characteristics of the RAFE ETF?

    The RAFE ETF demonstrates strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) characteristics. The EF model actively integrates ESG considerations by focusing on sectors with low environmental impact, strong governance traits, and social contributions to communities, such as job creation.