ETF: Understanding the S&P Givi Financial 15 ETF

Kristia van HeerdenETF Blog, Latest

The Absa Capital S&P GIVI Financial 15 ETF is a strange beast. While the name creates the impression that the ETF is invested exclusively in South Africa’s world-class banking and financial services sector, the ETF also includes a fair but of real estate investment trust (REIT) investments. Banks and life insurance companies are also represented in this ETF.

This ETF is weighted by a combination of low volatility and the intrinsic value of its constituents. The brick and mortar nature of property investments might speak to the ETF’s low volatility. With brick and mortar assets and the potential for steady rental income, an index that aims to lock out volatility could do worse than property.

Companies are only included if they have a market capitalisation (number of shares times by the share price) of R10bn. In addition, the companies in the index must trade an average of R15m per day. The index excludes preference shares, typically issued by banks.

Despite the ETF’s 26.6% real estate exposure, Investec, Nedbank, Old Mutual and Remgro together account for nearly 42% of what remains, which excludes a 6% Investec PLC holding. That leaves less than 30% for other financial players. If you’re hoping for exposure to the banking sector, best keep looking.

ETF name Absa Capital S&P GIVI Financial 15 ETF
JSE code GIVFIN
ETF issuer Absa Capital
Issue date 15 June 2009
TER* 0.18%
ETF benchmark S&P GIVI SA Financials Index
Tax-free savings account Investment allowed
ETF major holdings Download the full list here: GIVI SA Fini 15 ETF 
Market cap* R39.5m
Performance 1 year -12.7%

3 year -20.4%

5 year -36.6%

10 year +42.3%

Dividend yield 3.5%

*December 2019

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