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First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF(RND)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for RND
11/13/2026: RND (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
RND provides exposure to global companies that demonstrate high R&D intensity, effectively filtering for firms that prioritize innovation as a core growth strategy. Its primary strength lies in its systematic, rules-based approach to identifying innovation leaders, backed by the reliability of First Trust. While it offers a focused growth play, investors should be aware of its concentration in tech and healthcare, as well as its sensitivity to interest rates. It is best suited for long-term investors with a high risk tolerance, serving as a tactical satellite allocation rather than a conservative core holding.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | This fund focuses on companies prioritizing future growth through heavy innovation and R&D spending. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | It captures leaders in high-growth industries that often exhibit strong price momentum during innovation cycles. |
| Value investor | Weak fit | High R&D spending often comes at the expense of current earnings, making these companies appear expensive by traditional value metrics. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | Most companies in the portfolio reinvest profits into R&D rather than distributing them as dividends. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The portfolio's concentration in growth-oriented sectors exposes investors to higher volatility. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term growth seeker who believes in the innovation premium and is willing to accept higher volatility for potential capital appreciation.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term investors looking to add a satellite innovation-focused position to a core portfolio.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium / high | Growth stocks are inherently more volatile than broad market indices. |
| Market risk | High | The fund is fully exposed to equity market fluctuations and broader economic downturns. |
| Concentration | Medium | The portfolio is concentrated in technology and healthcare, increasing sector-specific risk. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | As a passive index fund, tracking error remains low relative to the benchmark. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower average daily volume compared to mega-cap ETFs can lead to wider spreads during high market stress. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | The fund emphasizes companies with robust R&D pipelines, which typically suggests high business quality. |
Sector & Industry Intelligence
This fund is not assigned to one sector.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
RND displays higher volatility than the S&P 500 due to its thematic concentration and growth stock orientation.
Market Risk
The fund is subject to systematic market risk and is specifically sensitive to interest-rate-driven valuation shifts in the growth sector.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | United States (Dominant Weight) | 65 | The majority of R&D-intensive global firms are headquartered in the U.S., reflecting the country's leadership in technology and innovation. |
| Sector | Information Technology | 20 | Technology companies consistently allocate the highest percentage of revenue to R&D, acting as a primary driver for the fund. |
| Sector | Healthcare | 15 | Pharmaceutical and biotech firms require sustained R&D investment to develop new products, creating a natural fit for this strategy. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 26.46% | Avg. Invested days 86 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/13/2026 |
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