Jay Gragnani, Senior Market Strategist and Head of National Accounts for Nasdaq Dorsey Wright, joined Zoe Hunt, Host of RIA Channel, to discuss the growing demand for ETFs and the role of momentum investing in portfolios.
Gragnani explains that Dorsey Wright was founded in 1987 as a third-party research provider specializing in technical analysis for financial advisors. Since being acquired by Nasdaq in 2015, the firm has continued to support advisors while expanding into exchange-traded funds and traditional asset management. He adds that the firm currently has approximately 30 ETFs based on Dorsey Wright strategies and multiple separately managed account (SMA) strategies, some of which have track records spanning more than two decades.
As the demand for ETF model portfolios continues to grow, Gragnani highlights that Dorsey Wright launched its first ETF model portfolios in 2002 using sector rotation strategies. Since then, both the firm’s ETF offerings and industry adoption have expanded significantly, a trend he anticipates will continue. He also adds that the firm’s platform grants advisors access to various strategies in an easily accessible and consumable manner, further boosting adoption.
Technical analysis and relative strength investing remain at the core of Nasdaq Dorsey Wright’s approach. Gragnani emphasizes the importance of momentum investing, noting that extensive academic research has demonstrated the effectiveness of momentum as an investment factor over time. He explains that combining momentum with factors such as value can create a smoother portfolio experience because the two are complementary. Periods of strong momentum performance often coincide with weaker value performance, and vice versa.
Looking ahead, Gragnani highlights Nasdaq Dorsey Wright’s upcoming Catapult Conference, scheduled for late September 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. The two-and-a-half-day event will bring advisors together to learn more about momentum investing and relative strength strategies while also providing opportunities to network.
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