Multifactor ETFs Are Gaining in Popularity

Choosing among the latest smart beta exchange-traded funds can feel a lot like ordering at a barbecue restaurant. Do you want ribs, brisket, or the platter that comes with a bit of everything? Fund companies have been dishing out a lot of combo-plate equity ETFs lately, which incorporate multiple “factors,” or investment attributes considered important to performance and risk. Factor-based investing has its roots in academic research showing that certain stock characteristics can deliver persistent, market-beating returns....