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If You Own Vanguard Industrials ETF, ...

Own Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS)? Consider XLI or a Broader Industrials Strategy

Own Vanguard Industrials ETF? Consider XLI or a broader industrials strategy. Tom Lee's bullish outlook favors cyclical exposure-reassess holdings today.

DWN Staff

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If you own the Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS), now is a sensible time to review whether a different industrials ETF or a broader sector strategy better fits your goals. Market strategist Tom Lee is famously bullish on economic growth and cyclical sectors, which supports the case for industrials exposure — but not all industrials ETFs are created equal.

Vanguard Industrials ETF offers targeted exposure to U.S. industrial companies, but investors often compare it with other funds such as the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) or iShares U.S. Industrials ETF (IYJ). Differences in weighting, liquidity, and holdings can affect performance during cycles of rising growth or interest-rate shifts. If Tom Lee’s upbeat outlook convinces you cyclical sectors will outperform, selecting the right industrials ETF matters.

Why consider XLI or alternatives? XLI tends to be the most liquid industrials ETF and often concentrates on the largest, highest-volume names in the sector. That liquidity can mean tighter bid-ask spreads for frequent traders and potentially more predictable tracking vs. a sector index. Other alternatives like IYJ or equal-weight strategies can offer different risk exposures — for example, equal-weight funds reduce single-stock concentration while international or industrials-plus-materials ETFs broaden exposure across related cyclical areas.

Another option is to pair a sector ETF with broader diversification. A split between an industrials ETF and a total-market or value-oriented ETF can balance cyclical upside with defensive ballast. Investors who follow Tom Lee’s macro commentary may tilt toward cyclicals, but smart implementation often includes diversification, rebalancing, and attention to fees and tax consequences.

Before making a switch, review expense ratios, turnover, holdings, and how a new ETF fits your time horizon and risk tolerance. Check how each fund performed in prior cycles and whether its index methodology aligns with your expectations about industrial demand, infrastructure spending, and supply chain recovery.

This isn’t personalized financial advice. If you’re unsure, consult a financial advisor to align any change with your portfolio plan. A thoughtful review today can help you capitalize on Tom Lee’s bullish thesis while managing concentration and risk.

Published on: December 20, 2025, 11:05 am

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