Smart-beta investors 'dip their toes' back into value strategies

Beginning to look attractive

After years of outflows, smart-beta investors are once again beginning to allocate to ETF vehicles with a value tilt, according to a report by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA).

The report, written by Antoine Lesne, head of SPDR ETF research and strategy EMEA, and ETF strategists Rebecca Chesworth and Tapiwa Ngwena, said inflows into value strategies have started to pick up. In particular, SPDR's energy and materials sector funds, both traditionally known as value sectors, have seen inflows over recent months. The authors commented: "After years of outflows, investors are now starting to dip their toes back into value funds. There are particularly strong signs that smart-beta investors are switching their preferences. "Among our SPDR sector funds we have seen...