MYLD ETF Explained: Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF, or MYLD ETF, is an actively managed fund that evaluates the shareholder-return profile of US micro-cap and small-cap stocks. Its quarterly distributions, dividend-related strategy, share buyback and debt repayment criteria, and small-cap volatility are the key factors in assessing its outlook.
SubscribeWhat Is the Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF?
The MYLD ETF is an actively managed fund that evaluates US micro-cap and small-cap companies by how much cash they return to shareholders through cash dividends, share buybacks, and debt repayment. Rather than mechanically tracking a single index, it builds its portfolio using the selection criteria of its own quantitative model.
It may suit long-term investors who want diversified exposure to US small caps while also considering companies' cash allocation characteristics and valuation metrics.
The ETF is run with an active management approach by Cambria Investment Management.
How Does the Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | Not applicable; proprietary quantitative model |
| Management Style | Active quantitative model |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Quarterly |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly |
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% |
| Manager | Cambria Investment Management |
The strategy assesses shareholder-return profiles by combining cash dividends, share buybacks, and debt repayment, and it selects holdings while also factoring in valuation metrics. The manager oversees position weights according to the quantitative model's criteria and may adjust the portfolio as market conditions and investment opportunities change.
- Shareholder-return evaluation that looks beyond dividends to include share buybacks and debt repayment
- Quantitative model-based selection focused on US micro-cap and small-cap stocks
Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $53.2M, and the expense ratio is 0.62% per year.
The MYLD ETF's cost structure and trading conditions may differ from those of large dividend funds. Before buying or selling, it is prudent to check trading volume, the bid-ask spread, and the gap between net asset value and market price.
Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeReturns can be sensitive to overall risk appetite for small caps, valuations, and companies' capacity to allocate cash. Even in periods when shareholder-return metrics look favorable, volatility can rise depending on individual companies' earnings and financing conditions, so it is worth examining the conditions under which the strategy works rather than focusing on short-term performance.
Fund flows can be influenced by preferences for US small caps, interest rates and economic expectations, and companies' capacity to pay dividends and repurchase shares. For funds with micro-cap-sized assets, trading conditions can shift as market participation changes, so liquidity and costs should be checked alongside the distribution profile rather than assuming demand from the payout alone.
Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
The fund is distinguished by its structure of evaluating shareholder returns through multiple channels, but small-cap volatility, the possibility of reduced distributions, and its cost structure should be reviewed in advance.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
In the table, the VIG ETF can serve as a benchmark for dividend growth, the SCHD ETF for dividend-focused selection, and the VYM ETF for high-dividend orientation. The DFAC ETF offers broader exposure to US equities overall, while the RDVY ETF differs in focusing on dividend growth and company characteristics. These products differ in fees and assets under management, so when comparing them with the MYLD ETF, check small-cap exposure, trading conditions, and distribution policy together. No additional alternative ETF candidates were provided, so no further tickers are added.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SCHD | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | $35.61 | +1.5% | $118.4B | 0.06% | 2.96% | +33.2% |
 VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation FTF | $249.16 | +1.3% | $114.8B | 0.04% | 1.46% | +14.2% |
 VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Indx ETF | $164.82 | +0.9% | $83.1B | 0.04% | 2.23% | +16.6% |
 DFAC | U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio-ETF Class Shares | $45.49 | +0.3% | $49.7B | 0.18% | 0.87% | +15.8% |
 RDVY | First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | $79.95 | +0.8% | $25.5B | 0.47% | 0.85% | +17.7% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PTEN | Patterson-UTI Energy Inc | 0.02% | $12.69 | +0.7% | $4.8B | - | 3.15% |
 FAF | First American Financial Corp | 0.02% | $63.72 | +0.3% | $6.5B | 9.0 | 3.64% |
 EGY | VAALCO Energy Inc | 0.02% | $6.34 | -1.4% | $666.9M | - | 3.93% |
 INSW | International Seaways Inc | 0.02% | $113.60 | +1.7% | $7.0B | 7.3 | 19.27% |
 TDW | Tidewater Inc | 0.02% | $85.28 | -1.4% | $4.2B | 17.2 | 0.28% |
 AVT | Avnet Inc | 0.02% | $92.43 | -1.2% | $7.6B | 23.2 | 1.51% |
 SM | SM Energy Co | 0.01% | $39.58 | +0.1% | $9.4B | 7.8 | 2.39% |
 MAN | ManpowerGroup | 0.01% | $45.49 | -0.6% | $2.1B | 17.9 | 3.03% |
 ARCB | ArcBest Corp | 0.01% | $126.41 | +0.5% | $2.8B | 181.7 | 0.4% |
 LPG | Dorian LPG Ltd | 0.01% | $54.68 | +1.3% | $2.3B | 7.3 | 7.37% |
Cambria Micro and SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF Investor Checkpoints
Before investing in the MYLD ETF, first confirm that quarterly distributions do not imply principal protection or the continuation of payouts. Micro-cap-sized assets and small-cap exposure are best reviewed together with your long-term holding objectives, trading convenience, and currency effects.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | How costs affect cumulative returns over a long holding period | Needs checking |
| Quarterly distributions | Source of distributions and their sustainability | Quarterly distributions |
| Trading conditions | Trading volume, bid-ask spread, and the gap between market price and net asset value | Needs checking |
| Small-cap exposure | Characteristics of micro-cap-sized funds and price volatility | Review volatility |
Small-cap and micro-cap companies can be sensitive to changes in earnings visibility, liquidity, and financing conditions. There is also no guarantee that dividends or share buybacks will continue, and market prices can differ from net asset value. Changes in interest rates and economic expectations can also affect valuations and fund flows.
The MYLD ETF is worth considering for those seeking a shareholder-return strategy that evaluates dividends, share buybacks, and debt repayment together. However, given the trading conditions and price volatility that come with micro-cap-sized assets and small-cap exposure, the sustainability of quarterly distributions and the cost structure should be compared against other similar products.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.
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