Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi, Pat. I am wondering about investing in the Horizons Seasonal Rotation ETF. What are your thoughts on this ETF as an investment? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: The Horizons Seasonal Rotation ETF, $22.15, symbol HAC on Toronto (Units outstanding: 13.1 million; Market cap: $290.2 million; www.horizonsetfs.com), is an example of an ETF that shows a wide disparity between its holding and the investments that the sales literature describes. For example, this ETF aims to tactically spread and move around its holdings between stocks, fixed-income investments, commodities and currencies based on historically demonstrated seasonal trends. The managers believe that investment markets follow these seasonal trends and have seasonal rhythms. Some of these patterns occur over the course of weeks or months; others last only a few days. By rotating a portfolio in reaction to these seasonal patterns, a “well-informed investor can realize returns that are superior to a static investment in broader markets and sector markets.” However, the Horizons Seasonal Rotation ETF currently has 64.5% of its assets in Horizon bond ETFs. Bonds will tend to rise in price if the U.S. Fed lowers interest rates—which it did recently and…