ETF trading strategies to enhance client wealth maximization

Abstract

This study examines the performance of pragmatic ETF-only investment strategies published either in an investment newsletter, blog, or are otherwise available through investment advisories. Our objective is to determine if ETF-only strategies can outperform either the S&P 500 or more repre-sentative benchmarks on an absolute and/or risk-adjusted basis. We surveyed a number of strategies and analyzed a subset that supported a five-year price history, including both trading commissions and bid-ask spread costs. Our findings show that while a majority of strategies beat the S&P 500 and a representative benchmark, weak statistical outperformance persisted in a smaller fraction of the sample.