DUDE – the Merlyn.AI SectorSurfer Momentum ETF
Tracking the Merlyn.AI® DUDE SectorSurfer Momentum Index

Why Invest in DUDE?

Advanced Momentum Algorithms

Advanced signal processing and AI seeks to reduce market noise and identify the trend leaders.

It's all about reducing the noise

Market noise tends to obscure momentum signals. Using advanced signal processing techniques and adaptive tuning of momentum filters, the Index seeks to:

  • Detect momentum with greater clarity.
  • Provide an improved selection of momentum leaders.
  • Create cleaner signals that lead to the possibility of better decisions.

We believe momentum detection is a key part of fund selection for both bull and bear market holdings.

Market Risk Monitoring

StormGuard™ and SwanGuard™ software seek to monitor market risk to switch between Bull/Bear holdings.

Automated Market Risk Assessment

While traditional portfolio theory relies on the dilution of risk, Merlyn.AI seeks to avoid risk. Using StormGuard™ and SwanGuard™ proprietary market risk assessment software, the Index aims to:

  • Assess the risk of U.S. equity markets (identified as “bull” or “bear”) using four key metrics: price-trend, market momentum, value sentiment, and market volatility. 
  • Switch to a bear market strategy when a bear market is indicated.

Automated Tactical Trading in an ETF Wrapper

Technology powered tactical trading in the tax efficiency of an ETF wrapper.

Tax Efficient ETF Wrapper

Automated tactical trading within a tax efficient ETF wrapper. The Index aims to:

  • Identify new trend leaders each month when bull markets are indicated.
  • Switch to a defensive bear market strategy when bear markets are indicated.

These tactical trades are executed within the ETF.

Tactical Portfolio in an ETF

Using advanced signal processing and artificial intelligence (AI) the Index seeks to outperform by selecting momentum leaders during bull markets and automatically switching to a defensive strategy when bear conditions are detected. Rather than try to dilute risk the aim is to avoid the risk.

Bull Market Fund Holdings

When bull markets are indicated, the Index evaluates over 100 ETFs and aims to hold 6 momentum leading ETFs, four in the Economic Sectors category and two in the Geopolitical Sectors category. Due to permitted duplicate selection, the Index may at times hold as few as 4 unique ETFs.

Economic Sector ETFs include ETFs that invest primarily in one of several economic sector categories, such as healthcare, energy, technology, and finance.

Geopolitical Sector ETFs include ETFs that invest primarily in a particular world region, such as Europe, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific, or any of the many individual countries of the world.

The Index employs multiple AI and signal processing tools that seek to identify momentum leaders and genetically evolve its underlying strategies as it attempts to learn market behavior.

Momentum leaders are evaluated and selected on a monthly basis when bull markets are indicated.

Bear Market Fund Holdings

When bear market conditions are anticipated, the Index switches to a defensive bear market strategy where it generally identifies a portfolio of four or more unique ETFs from the Bear Universe, which includes ETFs in the following categories:

  • medium- and long-term treasury

  • aggregate bond

  • long-term bond

  • corporate bond

  • high-yield bond

  • gold

  • broad-based U.S. equity market

The categories are viewed as general guidelines and the scope of each category is interpreted broadly. Note that the bear market strategy may include ETFs that are considered high-risk or are subject to equity market volatility, such as junk bond funds, equity funds, and broad-based U.S. equity market funds. Although the Index generally selects four or more unique ETFs under its bear market strategy, if bear conditions are anticipated due to excess market volatility, a single U.S. treasury ETF may be selected.

By switching between bull and bear market strategies DUDE is positioned as a long term hold even as market conditions cycle from bull to bear and back again. DUDE offers the potential to outperform in the long term despite market downturns.

Fund Overview

Fee Disclosures

  • Other Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.
  • Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, and are estimated for the current fiscal year.
  • The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive 40 basis points (0.40%) of its management fee. The waiver will remain in effect until at least January 30, 2024. This waiver agreement may be terminated early only by, or with the consent of, the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

Fund Performance

Monthly End Performance (%)

As of Date
04/30/2023

Returns are average annualized total returns, except those for periods of less than one year, which are cumulative.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. 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. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. Market price returns are based upon the closing composite market price and do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times.

Performance will be shown starting on March 31, 2021.

Quarterly End Performance (%)

As of Date
03/31/2023

Returns are average annualized total returns, except those for periods of less than one year, which are cumulative.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. 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. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. Market price returns are based upon the closing composite market price and do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times.

Short term performance, in particular, is not a good indication of the ETF’s future performance and an investment should not be made based solely on returns.

Performance will be shown starting on March 31, 2021.

Fund Holdings

Effective Date
05/30/2023

Fund holdings and allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Fund Distributions

Fund Documentation