MARKET COMMENTARY Emerging market equities delivered positive returns for the third consecutive quarter with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* returning 0.90% for Q2. Global and domestic markets delivered stronger returns with the MSCI All Country World Index* delivering 2.95% and S&P 500 rising 8.74%.
MARKET COMMENTARY The second quarter of 2023 was filled with murky headlines following the U.S. banking crisis, debt ceiling drama, and the Fed signaling its continued rate hikes amid warnings of an imminent recession – a recession that, once again, did not materialize. At quarter end, however, there was still no economic downturn in sight and most major market indices remained in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Index (TR) returned 3.97%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 13.05% and the S&P 500 delivered 8.74%. Internationally, markets eked out positive returns as well. The MSCI EAFE International Index* returned 2.95% while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* returned 0.90%. There was much good news for online retail companies. The U.S. unemployment rate remained between 3.4% and 3.7%, and the labor participation rate among workers aged 25-54 stood at a strong 83.4%, the highest level since 2007. Consumer spending remained strong, with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimating that households still have sufficient savings to support current spending levels through the end of 2023. E-commerce sales in the first quarter of 2023 accounted for 15.1% of total sales, as announced by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce on May 18th. The estimate of U.S. retail ecommerce sales for the first quarter of 2023 (adjusted for seasonal variation, but not for price changes) was $272.6 billion, an increase of 3.0 percent (±0.7%) from the fourth quarter of 2022. Total retail sales for the first quarter of 2023 were estimated at $1,799.5 billion, an increase of 0.9 percent (±0.4%) from the fourth quarter of 2022. IBUY fared well in this environment with top performers contributing to returns including Carvana (164.76%), Wayfair (89.31%) and Overstock.com (60.68%). Click HERE for IBUY’s top 10 holdings. Shares of online used car dealer, Carvana, saw quite a turnaround in 2023. Last quarter, Carvana’s stock fell in part because used car prices tumbled and interest rates rose, leaving the company with depreciating inventory that became more expensive for customers to buy. Yet in Q2, used car prices rebounded, according to the Consumer Price Index, which helped Carvana make a profit on its inventory. Shares rose by 100.6% in June as Carvana received an upgraded credit rating on its repackaged auto loans. Shares of online furniture retailer Wayfair benefited from a favorable sales update amid the bankruptcy of Bed Bath & Beyond, one its biggest competitors. Sales trends for the company improved throughout the quarter. Shares of online retailer Overstock.com also benefited from the bankruptcy of Bed Bath & Beyond as Overstock acquired the defunct retailer’s name, along with its website and domain names, vast customer database and loyalty-program data. Overstock’s plan is to eventually operate solely as Bed Bath and Beyond online. Detractors on performance for the period included Shutterstock (-32.60%), 1-800-FLOWERS.com (- 32.17%) and Revolve Group (-37.64%). While Shutterstock, online provider of stock photography, was one of IBUY’s top performers in Q1 based on its initiatives to expand generative AI in its product offerings, shares fell in Q2 as investors took the opportunity to take their gains and sell. Despite the drop, shares ended the quarter reasonably priced at 11.5 times forward earnings. Floral and gift online retailer 1-800-FLOWERS saw its total revenue drop while its gross profit margins rose. The company recently acquired Things Remembered and Smart Gift to extend its offerings in the non-perishable gift categories. The company has yet to gain its momentum in this space, which accounts for only 20% of its total revenue. Online apparel company Revolve Group shares fell following earnings declines over the last year due to trends affecting other online apparel businesses, yet its business model has helped it maintain profits and attractive gross margins. In our view, while we can’t predict the future, we remain positive about the outlook for U.S. online retail companies as indicators point to a resilient economy. While economic indicators may be mixed, those investors who have not listened to the pundits predicting disaster over the last three consecutive quarters have been rewarded. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds’ statutory and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 855-267-3837 or by visiting AmplifyETFs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The fund is new with limited operating history. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry, such as the online retail industry, makes it vulnerable to factors affecting the industry. The Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous industries or sectors. Investments in consumer discretionary companies are tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition, and consumer confidence. Online retail companies are subject to risks of consumer demand and sensitivity to profit margins. Additionally, technology and internet companies are subject to rapidly changing technologies; short product life cycles; fierce competition; aggressive pricing and reduced profit margins; the loss of patent, copyright, and trademark protections; cyclical market patterns; evolving industry standards; and frequent new product introductions. Information technology companies may be smaller and less experienced companies, with limited product lines, markets or financial resources and fewer experienced management or marketing personnel. Stocks of many internet companies have exceptionally high price-to-earnings ratios with little or no earnings histories. Information technology company stocks, especially those which are internet related, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated to their operating performance. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its assets in fewer individual holdings than a diversified fund. Investments in smaller companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large-capitalization companies. Investments in foreign securities involve greater volatility and political, economic, and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. The Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the underlying Index. To the extent the Fund utilizes a sampling approach, it may experience tracking error to a greater extent than if the Fund had sought to replicate the Index. EQM Indexes is the Index Provider for the Fund. EQM Indexes is not affiliated with the Trust, the Investment Adviser or the distributor. The Investment Adviser has entered into a license agreement with EQM Indexes to use the Online Retail Index. The Fund is entitled to use its Index pursuant to a sublicensing arrangement with the Investment Adviser. Amplify Investments LLC serves as the investment advisor and Penserra Capital Management LLC serves as sub advisor to the fund. Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC
MARKET COMMENTARY The second quarter of 2023 was filled with murky headlines following the U.S. banking crisis, debt ceiling drama, and the Fed signaling its continued rate hikes amid warnings of an imminent recession – a recession that, once again, did not materialize. At quarter end, however, there was still no economic downturn in sight and most major market indices remained in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Index (TR) returned 3.97%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 13.05% and the S&P 500 delivered 8.74%. Internationally, markets eked out positive returns as well. The MSCI EAFE International Index* returned 2.95% while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* returned 0.90%. BATT has exposure to the critical metals used in the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). The segment was still somewhat affected by pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, yet a favorable environment for EV stocks and rising oil and gas prices has rekindled the market. The ETF delivered strong returns during the period. BATT's primary contributors to performance were Tesla (26.81%), LI Auto Inc. (40.68%), BYD Co. (9.50%) and Panasonic Holdings (36.62%). Click HERE for BATT's top 10 holdings. Tesla continued to be the ETF’s top performer, once again breaking its production and delivery totals. The company reported Q2 global production of 479,700 units, with deliveries of 466,140. The delivery figure easily topped Wall Street consensus estimates of 448,599 units as well as the prior quarter’s total of 422,875. During the quarter, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies also rallied, as EV sales surprised to the upside in June as demand picked up. China has recently seen an EV price war which may now be easing. In this environment, LI Auto delivered strong returns, as did BYD Co. Both companies delivered a record number of vehicles for the period. EV battery provider Panasonic also saw strong returns due in part to its collaboration with Tesla, which gives it an operational advantage with its U.S.-based EV battery plant. The company also reported targeting a 20% energy boost in the energy density of its EV batteries by 2023. Detractors from performance included BHP Group (-5.90%), Contemporary Amperex Technology (-3.36%), Eve Energy Co. (-17.58%), and Samsung (-10.14%). Shares of BHP Group fell during the period as iron ore prices lost steam on weak demand in China,due to the slump in property investment, while supply prospects remained strong. Chinese Lithium-ion battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology saw declines during the period as analysts downgraded its shares over concerns about how U.S. EV tax credits could impact their business. Eve Energy Co., also a lithium battery maker, also saw shares fall this quarter. Samsung, the world's biggest memory-chip manufacturer, saw its shares fall as insufficient access to renewable energy in Asia left some of the biggest chipmakers lagging behind their U.S> and European rivals to cut carbon emissions. Looking ahead, the demand for electric cars remains strong as world economies work to reduce climate change through energy transition. While battery makers continue to be challenged by effects of the war in Ukraine, governments in Europe and in the U.S. continue to promote industrial policies aimed at domestic development of EVs and their supply chain. PERFORMANCE Fund inception date: 6/6/2018. The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end please call 855-267-3837 or visit AmplifyETFs.com/BATT. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds’ statutory and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 855-267-3837 or by visiting AmplifyETFs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. The Fund is not actively managed. The Fund invests in securities included in its Index regardless of their investment merit. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry, such as lithium battery technology, makes it vulnerable to factors affecting the companies. The Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous industries or sectors. The Fund has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity. The Fund invests in securities that are issued by and/or have exposure to, companies primarily involved in the metals and mining industry. Investments in metals and mining companies may be speculative and subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types of companies. The exploration and development of metals involves significant financial risks over a significant period of time, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Rare earth metals have more specialized uses and are often more difficult to extract. The increased demand for these metals has strained supply, which could adversely affect the companies in the Fund’s portfolio. Some of the companies in which the Fund will invest are engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the mining, refining and/or manufacturing of metals and these lines of business could adversely affect their operating results. The Fund’s assets are concentrated in the materials sector, which means the Fund will be more affected by the performance of the materials sector than a fund that is more diversified. The Fund currently has fewer assets than larger funds, and like other relatively new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. The Fund will invest in the securities of non-U.S. companies. Investments in emerging market issuers are subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in issuers located or operating in more developed markets. The mining, refining and/or manufacturing of metals may be significantly affected by regulatory action and changes in governments. Small and/or mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments. Electric vehicle technology is relatively new and is subject to risks associated with a developing industry. The EQM Lithium & Battery Technology Index (BATTIDX) seeks to provide exposure to global companies associated the development and production of lithium battery technology and/or battery storage solutions; the exploration, production, development, processing, and/or recycling of the materials and metals used in lithium battery chemistries such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Manganese, Vanadium and/or Graphite; and/or the development and production of electric vehicles. The Index inception date is 5/1/2018, and the Fund began tracking the Index as of 10/13/2020. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Amplify Investments LLC is the Investment Adviser to the Fund, and Toroso Investments, LLC serves as the Investment Sub-Adviser. Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
THE MANDATE The Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (BLOK) is an actively managed fund, seeking to identify the leading companies focused on the transformation and development of the blockchain and cryptocurrency markets. The managers focus on how companies can capture the growth, innovation, and disruption of the blockchain paradigm shift. The evolution of the internet has changed how people communicate. We believe growth companies that embrace blockchain evolution will capture secular growth trends that are accelerating and disrupting core processes in business. We think this is an important secular trend, as Gartner forecasts business value generated by the blockchain could be $176 billion by 2025, and $3.1 trillion by 2030.
BLOK Portfolio Manager Mike Venuto shares his thoughts on BLOK ETF and the blockchain industry in this 2nd quarter report of 2023. Click HERE for BLOK’s prospectus. Learn more about Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (BLOK), including the top 10 holdings, blockchain industry allocations, and more.
Portfolio Manager Tim Seymour shares his thoughts on cannabis trends and outlook on the markets in this CNBS 2nd quarter report of 2023. Learn more about Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF (CNBS), including the top 10 holdings, country allocations, and market allocations.
Possible Game-Changer for Food Safety In our previous piece on the metaverse, we presented convincing evidence (and data) showing how blockchain technology made the stratospheric growth projections likely. But investors would be mistaken to dismiss blockchain as merely a way for gamers to (safely) fight each other and purchase silly hats in an alternate digital world. The technology is such a leap forward in transparent, efficient security and record-keeping that there’s no telling what industries won’t ultimately be disrupted. Today, we will examine how we believe blockchain technology will enhance safety in the $8 trillion U.S. retail and food services industry.
Kevin Simpson, Portfolio Manager of our DIVO and IDVO ETF, share his thoughts about the 2nd quarter portfolio positioning of DIVO and IDVO in 2023. Tim Seymour discusses the international and emerging markets and the potential benefits and challenges of investing in ADRs. Learn more about Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) and Amplify International Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (IDVO) including the top 10 holdings and yield information.
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