The Barron’s 400 ETF (NYSEArca: BFOR) recently completed its semiannual rebalance, which led to the subtraction of some marquee stocks and some adjustment’s to the fund’s sector allocations.
BFOR, which debuted in June 2013, is an equal weight ETF that weighs each of its 400 holdings at 0.25% at each rebalance. The tracks the Barron’s 400 Index, which selects companies based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow. Potential components are also screened for criteria including minimum market capitalization and liquidity. The fund charges 0.65% per year. [New ETF Focuses on Barron’s Favorite Stocks]
Some of the familiar names to be removed from the ETF at the most recent rebalance include Dow component J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Celgene (NYSE: CELG), Starbucks (NasdaqGS: SBUX), Yahoo (NasdaqGS: YHOO) and Buffalo Wild Wings (NasdaqGS: BWLD), according to a statement.
In total 153 companies were added to the index, a turnover rate of 38.25% that was slightly below the historic average of 42%, according to the statement. New additions include Kraft (NasdaqGS: KRFT), Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF), KKR (NYSE: KKR), Brown Forman (NYSE: BF-B) and Astronics (NYSE: ATRO).
The Barron’s 400 Index was introduced by the venerable financial news magazine on the cover of its September 3, 2007 issue. It appears weekly in the magazine’s The Trader column. [Barron’s 400 ETF Off to Solid Start]
Sector adjustments include industrials going to 18.75% from 18%, technology rising to 15% from 13.75%, staples jumping to 6% from 5.25% and materials climbing to 7% from 5.5%. Sectors that saw their weights in BFOR lowered include financial services, health care and energy. BFOR currently holds just one telecom stock and no utilities names.
BFOR has gained almost 22% since its debut. The ETF accumulated $182 million in assets under management by mid-December 2013. [These New ETFs Have Rapidly Gained Assets]
Barron’s 400 ETF
ETF Trends editorial team contributed to this post.