tiprankstipranks
Advertisement

VAW - ETF AI Analysis

Compare

Top Page

VAW

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
VAW, the Vanguard Materials ETF, has a solid overall rating that reflects a mix of strong leaders and a few weaker spots in its portfolio. High-quality holdings like Newmont Mining, CRH, Corteva, Nucor, and Vulcan Materials support the fund with strong financial performance, positive earnings calls, and generally favorable technical trends, which help drive the ETF’s quality. However, challenges at key positions such as Linde’s bearish momentum and macro headwinds, Ecolab’s and Sherwin-Williams’ valuation concerns, and especially Air Products’ profitability and cash flow issues temper the rating, while the fund’s focus on the materials sector means investors are exposed to sector-specific and economic-cycle risks.
Positive Factors
Strong Year-to-Date Performance
The ETF has delivered solid gains so far this year, showing that its portfolio has recently been working well for investors.
Leading Holdings with Strong Momentum
Several of the largest positions, such as Freeport-McMoRan, Air Products and Chemicals, Corteva, and Nucor, have shown strong performance, helping support the fund’s overall results.
Low Expense Ratio
The fund’s very low annual fee means more of the investment returns stay in investors’ pockets instead of going to costs.
Negative Factors
Heavy Concentration in Materials Sector
With most of its assets in the materials industry, the ETF is highly sensitive to swings in commodity prices and the economic cycle.
High U.S. Market Concentration
Almost all of the fund’s holdings are in U.S. companies, offering very limited geographic diversification.
Notable Underperforming Top Holdings
Some major positions like Newmont Mining, Sherwin-Williams, CRH, and Vulcan Materials have recently shown weaker performance, which can drag on the fund’s returns if the trend continues.

VAW vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

VAW Summary

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) is a fund that tracks the MSCI US IMI 25/50 Materials Index, giving you broad exposure to U.S. materials companies. These are businesses that make chemicals, metals, construction materials, and other basic products that support building, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Well-known holdings include Linde and Sherwin-Williams. An investor might choose VAW to diversify a stock portfolio and potentially benefit from growth when the economy and construction activity are strong. A key risk is that it is heavily focused on the materials sector, so its price can rise and fall sharply with commodity prices and economic cycles.
How much will it cost me?The Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) has an expense ratio of 0.09%, which means you’ll pay $0.90 per year for every $1,000 invested. This is lower than average because it’s a passively managed fund that tracks an index, keeping costs down for investors.
What would affect this ETF?The Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) could benefit from increased infrastructure spending or industrial growth in the U.S., as its holdings are heavily focused on companies producing essential materials like chemicals and metals. However, it may face challenges from rising interest rates, which can increase borrowing costs for construction projects, or economic slowdowns that reduce demand for materials. Regulatory changes affecting environmental standards or mining operations could also impact the ETF's performance.

VAW Top 10 Holdings

VAW is essentially a bet on the U.S. materials engine, with gas and brakes coming from a handful of heavyweights. Linde, the fund’s largest holding, has been a steady long-term contributor but is losing a bit of short-term steam. Copper giant Freeport-McMoRan and steel maker Nucor are rising, giving the ETF a strong cyclical tilt tied to industrial demand. On the flip side, paint maker Sherwin-Williams and construction player CRH have been lagging, which has dampened returns. Overall, it’s a U.S.-centric, materials-heavy portfolio with performance driven by metals and chemicals.
Name
Company Name
Weight %
Market Value
Market Cap
Yearly Gain
Overall Rating
Linde15.69%$705.60M$225.87B4.69%
66
Neutral
Newmont Mining6.58%$295.96M$119.05B70.26%
81
Outperform
Freeport-McMoRan5.90%$265.21M$99.98B70.07%
67
Neutral
Sherwin-Williams Company5.28%$237.42M$89.75B2.29%
66
Neutral
CRH plc4.67%$210.17M$66.85B-6.35%
76
Outperform
Ecolab4.62%$207.80M$79.94B3.98%
66
Neutral
Air Products and Chemicals3.87%$174.05M$67.57B8.53%
46
Neutral
Corteva3.71%$166.83M$51.26B5.53%
75
Outperform
Nucor3.23%$145.15M$62.09B99.40%
74
Outperform
Vulcan Materials2.51%$112.93M$36.89B0.04%
77
Outperform

VAW Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price
Price Trends
50DMA
229.47
Positive
100DMA
229.60
Positive
200DMA
222.17
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.23
Negative
RSI
55.16
Neutral
STOCH
77.98
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For VAW, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of undefined is equal to the 20-day moving average (MA) of 229.38, equal to the 50-day MA of 229.47, and equal to the 200-day MA of 222.17, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.23 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 55.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 77.98 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for VAW.

VAW Peer Comparison

Comparison Results
Name
Price
Price Target
AUM
Expense Ratio
Overall Rating
$3.07B0.09%
67
Neutral
$9.95B0.09%
72
Outperform
$8.61B0.08%
70
Neutral
$8.55B0.08%
67
Neutral
$4.26B0.35%
63
Neutral
$1.01B0.38%
68
Neutral
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
VAW
Vanguard Materials ETF
233.87
33.17
16.53%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF
XLRE
Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund
XLB
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
XME
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF
IYM
iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF
Glossary
BuyAn ETF rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldAn ETF rated as a "Hold" s expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the ETF is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellAn ETF rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF may deliver lower returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
DisclaimerThis AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: ―
Table of Contents
Advertisement