With refreshed ETF themes, Middlefield aims to outperform

“Whatever an advisor chooses to focus on, we have a mutual fund or an ETF to address that need,” he says.

For more than 40 years, Middlefield has created and managed specialized products—including ETFs, mutual funds, closed-end funds, private and public resource funds, split-share corporation funds, and real estate funds—for individual and institutional investors.

In 2022, Middlefield expanded its ETF platform through conversions of closed-end income funds, as well as product enhancements. Orrico shares some thoughts on the value-add for investors and financial advisors, and the role of Middlefield’s ETFs in a well-designed portfolio.

Your ETF lineup focuses on six themes: innovation, healthcare, real estate, infrastructure, U.S. equity, and sustainable global strategies. Why are these especially appealing?

Orrico: As an independent asset manager, we’re not going to be all things to all people. We want to do certain things really well. These areas are where we have expertise and a track record, with the long-term potential to generate superior returns to outpace the broader market.

In today’s market conditions, what are investors seeking that your ETFs provide?

Orrico: We’re looking to generate competitive total returns with a significant income component, allowing these themes to be value-add at all times. These strategies are appropriate over the long term and, due to the current macroeconomic environment, are even more relevant today.

Why are there particular opportunities now?

Orrico: We’re in a higher inflation environment, likely to persist. Rates will unlikely go back to pre-pandemic levels. Growth tends to underperform when rates are higher. The market has hit an inflection point. Growth isn’t as much in favour, so you need alternative sources of return. Our belief, proven by historical data, is that having a significant income component is the way to go. Middlefield’s focus on equity income positions us to deliver relatively high risk-adjusted total returns over time.

What was the thinking behind expanding your ETF platform?

Orrico: We’ve been an income manager for decades. We wanted to give investors what we think is superior expertise in an ETF structure. We did it not just by seeding ETFs, but by converting many strategies that were in a closed-end fund format, and make more sense as actively managed ETFs. So we hit the ground running with ETFs that have a solid long-term track record, are larger, and provide greater levels of liquidity.

Why is active management important now?

Orrico: In the past six to 12 months, we’ve seen greater dispersion in the markets. For about 10 years, it was all about growth. Technology became a significant part of the overall market. Now, more passive- oriented investors have been hit hard due to the pullback in technology and growth stocks. When inflation is persistent and technology is underperforming, an active manager can add value by identifying opportunities that can outperform in the market.

How does that fit with your ETF themes?

Orrico: We talk to clients about areas like healthcare and real estate, where demand is more stable and valuations are attractive. Those types of sectors are positioned to outperform in the current environment. Moreover, historically, there has been a positive correlation between the performance of active managers when the dispersion is greater. As an active manager, we can play in all corners of the market with more of a niche strategy.

How does being an independent investment manager shape your approach to ETFs and benefit investors?

Orrico: We can be more opportunistic in the strategies we provide. Being a smaller independent, we’re less bureaucratic, have a flatter structure, and can build and launch products quickly. Importantly, we believe in making our portfolio managers available to financial advisors – virtually impossible in many larger or bank-owned firms. This can be especially helpful to advisors during periods of volatility, as it can provide valuable insight into what’s happening in markets and how that’s being reflected in Middlefield portfolios. That’s an advantage over many of our competitors.

What are some sector trends that can form ETF opportunities?

Orrico: We have already incorporated ESG across several of our strategies and adopted a comprehensive set of ESG stewardship principles. We’ll continue to supplement our platform with strategies that lend themselves well to who we are as active equity income managers. We’re also reviewing alternatives, especially in market sectors that advisors or investors have difficulty accessing on their own.

Learn more about Middlefield, its fund lineup, and its distinct income strategies.
Visit: www.middlefield.com.

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