Mackenzie Financial Corp has notably amplified its investment in the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS), marking a significant strategic move within their diverse portfolio. This substantial increase in stock holdings by a prominent institutional investor underscores a broader trend of confidence in international small-cap markets among major financial players.
Specifically, Mackenzie Financial Corp expanded its ownership of VSS shares by a notable 17.0% during the first quarter. This strategic acquisition saw the firm adding an impressive 6,645 shares, bringing their total Vanguard ETF investment to 45,775 shares, valued at $5,292,000 by the close of the most recent reporting period.
Beyond Mackenzie, several other key institutional investors and hedge funds have similarly adjusted their positions in the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF. For instance, Bessemer Group Inc. demonstrated its conviction by growing its stake in VSS by 2.3% in the first quarter, now commanding 2,875,560 shares worth a staggering $332,415,000.
Mason Investment Advisory Services Inc. also modestly, yet consistently, increased its Vanguard ETF exposure by 0.3% in the first quarter, accumulating 1,935,130 shares valued at $223,701,000. These calculated moves reflect a diversified approach to investment strategy within the global small-cap segment.
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company executed a substantial 19.7% stake increase in the fourth quarter, reaching 975,789 shares valued at $111,708,000. Concurrently, Waddell & Associates LLC expanded its stock holdings by 3.9% in the same quarter, bringing their total to 507,668 shares, emphasizing continued institutional interest.
LPL Financial LLC joined this trend in the first quarter, boosting its Vanguard ETF investment by 10.5%. Their acquisition of an additional 37,929 shares resulted in a total of 399,198 shares, valued at $46,147,000, further solidifying the strong institutional presence in VSS.
The Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF itself has shown robust performance in the financial markets. The fund opened at $133.59, with a 52-week trading range spanning from a low of $102.76 to a high of $138.29. Its significant market capitalization of $9.26 billion, coupled with a P/E ratio of 15.03 and a beta of 0.99, points to a stable yet dynamic asset.
The ETF maintains a fifty-day simple moving average of $132.67 and a two-hundred-day simple moving average of $122.64, indicating positive momentum. As an open-end investment company, the fund’s primary objective is to track the performance of the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, focusing on international small-cap companies and offering investors diversified exposure to global markets.
These concerted movements by major institutional investors highlight a growing confidence in the international small-cap sector, potentially signaling a favorable outlook for the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF and its underlying assets. Understanding these shifts in stock holdings is crucial for assessing broader market trends and investor sentiment.
