WCG Wealth Advisors LLC has increased its holdings in the iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:IUSB) by 2.8% during the second quarter of 2023. This information comes from WCG’s latest Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After acquiring an additional 11,699 shares during this period, the firm now owns a total of 423,274 shares, which represent approximately 1.3% of its overall investment portfolio, making it the firm’s 17th largest holding.
As of this filing, WCG Wealth Advisors’ investment in the iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF is valued at around $19,568,000. The ETF, which is designed to track a comprehensive range of USD-denominated taxable bonds, has become an attractive option for several institutional investors.
Institutional Interest Grows
Other significant players in the market have also adjusted their positions in the iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF. Notably, Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake by 3.1% in the first quarter, now holding 62,382,141 shares worth approximately $2.87 billion after acquiring an additional 1,856,559 shares.
Additionally, Spire Wealth Management has made a remarkable increase of 1,276.8% in its holdings during the second quarter, resulting in ownership of 1,888,940 shares valued at $86.97 million. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. also expanded its investment, boosting its stake by 5.8% to 24,317,154 shares, which are currently valued at around $1.12 billion.
Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its position by 95.1% in the first quarter, now holding 1,335,826 shares worth approximately $61.56 million. Furthermore, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings by 3.4% in the second quarter, reaching a total of 18,782,389 shares valued at $868.31 million.
Market Performance and ETF Overview
On Tuesday, shares of the iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF opened at $46.62. The ETF’s fifty-day moving average is $46.80, while its 200-day moving average stands at $46.28. Over the past year, the fund has seen a low of $44.67 and a high of $47.20.
With a market capitalization of $33.14 billion, the ETF features a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.80 and a beta of 0.26, indicating its lower volatility compared to the broader market.
The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF, managed by BlackRock, was launched on June 10, 2014. It aims to replicate the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, which encompasses a wide array of USD-denominated taxable bonds.
This surge in institutional investment highlights the growing confidence in the bond market, particularly in a period marked by economic uncertainty. The adjustments made by WCG Wealth Advisors and other firms indicate a strategic focus on securing stable returns through diversified bond holdings.
