BTAL: Unconvincing Long-Short ETF

AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) is long in 200 low-beta stocks and short in 200 high-beta stocks. BTAL has value characteristics and low company risk, but its track record is uncompelling, with negative return since 2011. FTLS stands out as a superior long-short ETF alternative for investors seeking risk-adjusted performance.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 24, 2025

BTAL: A Smart, Yet Controversial Hedge To The S&P 500

BTAL offers a market-neutral strategy by going long low-beta and short high-beta U.S. stocks, providing S&P 500 hedging. The ETF plays the low vs. high beta spread, offering stronger short-term hedging and better long-term preservation than classic shorts. In my view, it must be included in a portfolio with a clear strategy; otherwise, it's dead weight, not added value.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 23, 2025

BTAL Battles With Short, High-Beta Stocks

AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund ETF is designed as a market-neutral equity hedge, long low-beta and short high-beta stocks, to benefit investors during market corrections. Despite its intent, the Fund has underperformed benchmarks and is best used only during significant market declines, not as a long-term core holding. Given current market conditions, I recommend a 'Sell' rating on BTAL. Despite my negative sentiment, BTAL could benefit from economic uncertainty and geopolitical risks.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 18, 2025

BTAL: Can Generate Positive Returns Even In A Recession

BTAL is a market neutral ETF that profits from the spread between low and high beta stocks, ideal for hedging in volatile markets. The fund is long low beta stocks and short high beta stocks, thriving in down markets and reducing portfolio volatility. BTAL has shown strong performance in past bear markets and is expected to outperform in today's environment with stretched valuations.

Seeking Alpha • Mar 27, 2025

BTAL: Could This Market Neutral ETF Save Your Portfolio In 2025?

The AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund ETF is a strong hedge against market downturns, outperforming the S&P 500 during recent volatility. BTAL's strategy involves going long on low-beta stocks and short on high-beta ones, providing a negative correlation to the S&P 500. A 33-67 allocation between UPRO and BTAL could offer superior risk-adjusted performance, with lower volatility and better Sharpe ratios than the S&P 500 alone.

Seeking Alpha • Mar 7, 2025

Here are some ETFs that protect against inflation risk, with Astoria Portfolio Advisors' John Davi

John Davi, Astoria Portfolio Advisors Founder & CEO, joins CNBC's Courtney Reagan on ‘ETF Edge' to discuss Astoria's top ideas on how to hedge against tariff risks.

CNBC Television • Feb 3, 2025

Play Defensive ETFs to Counter Stock Market Slump

Wall Street was in the red on Tuesday as strong economic data dampened chances of near-term Fed rate cuts. Defensive ETFs may help in this scenario.

Zacks Investment Research • Jan 8, 2025

CTA And BTAL: My Recommended S&P 500 Hedges

The S&P 500 has doubled in the last five years, raising concerns about a potential market top and the need for portfolio hedging. Traditional bonds have struggled due to rising interest rates; alternatives may offer better downside protection. Diversifying with alternatives, like CTA's managed futures or BTAL's market hedge, can reduce portfolio volatility and enhance risk-adjusted returns without significantly cutting equity exposure.

Seeking Alpha • Dec 14, 2024

BTAL: A Wonderful ETF For Bear Markets

BTAL is an ETF with a 1.72% total expense ratio, negative long-term returns, and is down most years. Its design is crazy, like a fox. BTAL is a market-neutral fund designed to perform well only in bear markets. When the market is down 10%, it averages 8.8% gains. In the 10% worst months for stocks, when the S&P is down 7%, BTAL averages 5% gains.

Seeking Alpha • Sep 3, 2024

BTAL Is Possibly The Most Misunderstood Market-Neutral ETF

BTAL is an anti-beta market-neutral ETF, not beta-neutral, with imbalanced long and short positions. High-beta stocks fall further in market crashes, underperform in calm markets, and perform well after market bottoms. Tactical holding of BTAL based on VIX levels can provide a small performance boost and reduce drawdowns in market crashes.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 17, 2024