Avantis Investors just made global investing a whole lot simpler. The firm launched the Avantis Total Equity Markets ETF (AVTM) on Monday, giving investors a one-stop shop for U.S. and international stock exposure—developed and emerging markets alike.
It's the kind of fund that appeals to investors who want the whole world in their portfolio without juggling multiple ETFs. And the timing makes sense: more investors are looking beyond American borders as concerns about valuation levels and concentration risk in U.S. mega-cap stocks continue to build.
Not Your Typical Index Fund
Here's where AVTM gets interesting. Unlike the standard market-cap weighted global funds you're probably familiar with, this ETF takes an active approach. It invests across different market capitalizations while specifically targeting companies expected to deliver higher-than-average returns. The goal? Better risk characteristics than what you'd get from a passive global equity benchmark. All of this comes with a net expense ratio of 22 basis points.
"It's always exciting to bring another solution to the market, especially when we know it is fulfilling a client need," said Phil McInnis, chief investment strategist at Avantis Investors. "Everything we do at Avantis is with our clients in mind, and that mentality has contributed to the strong growth and adoption we've experienced over the last several years."
The ETF will be managed by a seasoned team led by Chief Investment Officer Eduardo Repetto, working alongside senior portfolio managers Mitchell Firestein, Daniel Ong and Ted Randall, plus portfolio manager Matthew Dubin.
AVTM is the latest addition to Avantis' growing lineup under the American Century Investments umbrella. The firm now runs 45 strategies spanning U.S. and international markets, including Australia and Europe—a testament to its aggressive expansion in the active ETF space.