Smart Beta and Factor ETFs
Today’s post is another in the series following a passive investing Meetup group that I organise.
Contents
Meetup
Back in January 2019, I took over the organisation of a Meetup group with more than 350 members.
- You can read more about that process and experience here.
The number of group members continues to drift upwards (we’re at 434 now), but the meetings have been relatively sparsely attended so far (never more than 11 attendees).
London Passive Investing Club
The group is called the London Passive Investing Club. Here’s the description:
This group is for passive DIY investors, and for those who want to become passive DIY investors.
We are primarily concerned with ETF portfolios, but people who use OEICs are also welcome.
Topic we discuss include:
- What is an ETF (exchange traded fund)?
- What’s inside an ETF?
- How do I invest in ETFs?
- What does it cost to invest in ETFs?
- What does a good ETF look like?
- What are the risks of investing in ETFs?
- How can I research ETFs?
- How do I decide on an asset allocation strategy, and construct a suitable ETF portfolio?
- Are lazy portfolios as good as properly diversified ones?
- Should I use smart beta / factor ETFs?
- How and when should I rebalance my portfolio?
- How does the UK Tax system affect ETF portfolios?
- Are the problems of living off my portfolio in retirement (decumulation) the same as those of building up my portfolio in the first place?
Previous meetings
- At the first meeting in February, I tried to answer as many of those questions as possible.
- You can find the notes here.
- The March meeting was organised around a presentation on how to build your own ETF portfolio.
- The slides are on this page.
- The April meeting looked at Portfolio Rebalancing.
- The slides are on this page.
- The May meeting examined Lazy Portfolios (constructed from just a few funds.
- The slides are here.
- The June meeting looked at UK Tax for ETF Investors.
- The slides are here.
- The July meeting examined Decumulation & Retirement, and How To Spend Your Money.
- The slides are here.
Factor investing
The August meeting of the group looked at factor investing and smart beta ETFs.
September
The September meeting will be scheduled at the end of this week.
- We are looking for a suitable topic.
Big Picture Investors
Immediately after the Passive Investing Club session, I’ll be hosting a meetup for active investors.
- You can read more about this new group – called Big Picture Investors – here.
As with the Passive group, the September meeting will be scheduled at the end of this week.
- We are looking for a suitable topic, and guest presentations are welcome.
Until next time.