Cetera Investment Advisers has significantly increased its stake in the iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF), a move that underscores a growing confidence in the healthcare sector’s investment landscape.
According to its latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cetera boosted its position by a notable 4.9% during the first quarter. This substantial acquisition involved the purchase of an additional 5,876 shares, bringing their total ownership in the fund to 125,474 shares.
As of its most recent SEC filing, Cetera Investment Advisers’ holdings in IHF are valued at an impressive $6,625,000, representing approximately 0.99% of the ETF’s total stock. This strategic accumulation highlights the firm’s outlook on the potential of healthcare investments.
Cetera is not alone in its strategic interest in IHF; several other prominent hedge funds have also adjusted their positions. Wells Fargo & Company MN, for instance, increased its holdings by 1.6% in the fourth quarter, acquiring 3,325 additional shares, pushing its total to 206,121 shares valued at $9,892,000.
Another major player, Two Sigma Investments LP, demonstrated even more aggressive growth, increasing its stake by a striking 118.8% in the fourth quarter. This resulted in an additional 89,100 shares, bringing their total to 164,122 shares, valued at $7,876,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. also initiated a new position, valued at approximately $4,834,000.
Further illustrating the trend, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings by 13.1% in the first quarter, adding 9,143 shares to reach 78,704 shares worth $4,156,000. Similarly, AssuredPartners Investment Advisors LLC expanded its position by 4.6% during the same period, acquiring 2,341 shares for a total of 53,721 shares valued at $2,836,000.
Analyzing the market performance, shares of IHF opened at $40.81 on Friday, reflecting its current standing in the dynamic financial markets. The fund boasts a market capitalization of $544.81 million, alongside a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.41 and a beta of 0.81, indicating its volatility relative to the broader market.
Over the past year, IHF has experienced fluctuations, with a 12-month low of $40.57 and a 12-month high of $58.94. Its current trading activity shows a 50-day moving average of $45.94 and a 200-day moving average of $49.36, providing insights into its recent price trends and long-term performance.
The iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF itself is specifically designed as an exchange-traded fund primarily investing in health care equity. Launched on May 1, 2006, and managed by BlackRock, the fund meticulously tracks a cap-weighted index of U.S. companies dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services, making it a key vehicle for investors targeting this vital economic sector.
