Dividend exchange traded funds are extremely popular yet ETFs focused on companies that have returned capital to investors via share buybacks are among the top performers for 2013.
For example, PowerShares Buyback Achievers (NYSEArca: PKW) and AdvisorShares TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF (NYSEArca: TTFS) are up about 30% year to date. Guggenheim Insider Sentiment (NYSEArca: NFO) has posted a total return of about 23%. [Buyback ETF Outpacing Some of 2013’s Biggest Repurchasers]
The three funds take different approaches although some form of buybacks is embedded within their strategies.
PKW is by far the largest of the trio with over $1 billion of assets. The ETF tracks the Buyback Achievers Index. To become eligible for inclusion in the index, a company must have repurchased at least 5% or more of its outstanding shares in the past year. PKW has a net expense ratio of 0.71% after a fee waiver.
TTFS has about $54 million of assets and charges a fee of 0.99%.