What Is the SAMT ETF? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The Strategas Macro Thematic ETF is an actively managed thematic product that invests in US stocks closely tied to macro trends, concentrating on a small number of high-conviction themes. Key points to check are the expense ratio, thematic concentration, and growth outlook. Comparing it with other thematic and factor ETFs is the main selection criterion, and its trading ticker is SAMT.
What Is the Strategas Macro Thematic ETF?
This is an actively managed thematic ETF. Based on the manager's macro research, it selects investment themes expected to persist over the medium term and concentrates on three or four high-conviction themes, investing in related US stocks.
It suits investors who want to differentiate from the market through macro-driven thematic investing and are willing to accept the volatility that comes with thematic concentration.
It is an ETF run by Strategas using an active management approach.
How Does the Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | Active (does not track a benchmark) |
| Management Style | Active (macro themes) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | As needed (at the manager's discretion) |
| Dividend Frequency | Annual |
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% |
Using the manager's macro research, the fund identifies investment themes expected to persist over the medium term, concentrates on three or four high-conviction themes, and invests in US stocks closely tied to those trends. It actively adjusts themes and weightings as the macro environment changes.
- Theme discovery based on macro research
- Concentration on a small number of high-conviction themes
Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fees)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $789.4M, and the expense ratio is 0.66% per year.
Unlike broad market ETFs, it is concentrated in a small number of themes, so its performance can diverge from the market, and volatility tends to be high because of that concentration.
Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Performance and Trends
The performance of thematic investing depends heavily on macro trends and on whether the selected themes prove right. When the manager's macro calls are on target, differentiated performance can be expected, but weakness may appear when themes miss or when the market rotates quickly.
Thematic ETFs tend to attract inflows when interest in macro-driven thematic investing rises, and fund flows vary with management results and market conditions.
Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is the pursuit of differentiation through thematic concentration based on macro research, while thematic concentration, performance dispersion, and the cost burden are the drawbacks.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Alternatives and Related Products
DYNF, THRO, ARKK, and the others shown in the table are similar ETFs that invest in factor rotation, theme rotation, or innovation themes. To invest in market-wide momentum, you can also compare the momentum ETF MTUM; for quality stocks, QUAL; and for high-growth innovative stocks, FFTY. These differ in selection method, thematic composition, and expense ratio, so it is best to choose according to your investment style.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF | $68.91 | +0.5% | $42.4B | 0.26% | 0.82% | +13.5% | |
| iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF | $44.19 | +0.6% | $7.5B | 0.57% | 0.29% | +13.9% | |
| ARK Innovation ETF | $84.78 | +3.6% | $5.5B | 0.75% | - | -6.1% | |
| JPMorgan Small & Mid Cap Enhanced Equity ETF | $74.69 | +0.7% | $2.9B | 0.24% | 0.97% | +15.5% | |
| Principal U.S. Small-Cap ETF | $68.72 | +0.5% | $2.7B | 0.38% | 0.58% | +18.9% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PWR | Quanta Services Inc | 0.04% | $578.83 | +2.6% | $87.0B | 66.3 | 0.08% |
| ETR | Entergy Corp | 0.03% | $108.43 | +0.9% | $51.8B | 27.7 | 2.39% |
| Fuelcell Energy Inc | 0.03% | $12.18 | +6.3% | $973.9M | - | - | |
| Edison International | 0.03% | $58.19 | +0.7% | $22.4B | 6.0 | 5.99% | |
| OXY | Occidental Petroleum Corp | 0.03% | $62.73 | -2.1% | $62.7B | 18.6 | 1.64% |
| MAR | Marriott International Inc | 0.03% | $390.23 | -1.1% | $101.8B | 40.5 | 0.73% |
| Timken Co | 0.03% | $113.06 | +2.3% | $7.8B | 30.7 | 1.27% | |
| VG | Venture Global Inc | 0.03% | $13.81 | +0.4% | $34.5B | 10.5 | 0.74% |
| GLW | Corning Inc | 0.03% | $126.30 | -1.1% | $108.8B | 57.9 | 0.93% |
| Sphere Entertainment Co | 0.03% | $114.73 | +3.9% | $4.1B | - | - |
Strategas Macro Thematic ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in SAMT. As a macro thematic ETF, it is important to check its thematic concentration, performance dispersion, expense level, and management approach in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Cumulative impact of active thematic management fees | Somewhat high |
| 🎯 Thematic Concentration | Volatility from concentration in a few themes | Concentrated exposure |
| 📊 Performance Dispersion | Performance gaps depending on whether themes prove right | May fluctuate |
| 🔍 Management Approach | Confirm selection based on macro research | Active |
Because it is concentrated in a small number of themes, it may underperform the market when themes miss or when the market rotates quickly. Volatility from thematic concentration and active management fees should also be considered.
This is an active ETF suited to investors who want differentiation through macro-driven thematic investing and are willing to accept thematic concentration. If you want exposure to the broad market, a broad-based ETF may be the better choice, while SAMT can be an alternative if you want a concentrated macro theme approach.
Disclaimer: 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 June 4, 2026.