Hi Everyone!
It’s Rob Isbitts from ETF Yourself and I’m ETF Shelf’s new co-pilot to bring you the March 2026 launch update. Let’s light this candle!
We’re looking at all of the ETF launches in the US during the month.
Below, you’ll see a table that lists each new ETF, some key data points about it, and a “one liner” explaining my initial reaction to that fund’s approach.
Then, I’ll select a few I find most intriguing from this rookie class, and assign “like it” or “love it.”
Just like they do at a well-known US based ice cream shop.
You’ll also see a more tenured ETF I consider to be a peer to the new fund. I am a retired investment advisor and fund manager, and I remember the difficulties of fitting new ETFs into a backtest or portfolio analytics report.
So I aim to give you a proxy.
And since I am the creator of the ROAR (Return Opportunity And Risk) Score, an analytical tool that assesses risk of major loss for any ETF or stock at any time, I’ll include the recent ROAR Score of that peer ETF.
What’s the ROAR Score
The ROAR Score is a percentage from 0 to 100 that answers a fundamental question: “What is the probability this stock or ETF will rise 10% before it falls 10%?” Now, that is not 10% for every ETF or stock. One feature (or bug if you ask me) of modern markets is that when markets get angry or excited, they can move the price of even a sleepy stock or a bond ETF by 10% in a matter of days.
These represent the most unique and tactically new funds:
Nicholas Bitcoin Tail ETF (BHDG)
Why: This is a sophisticated “offense + defense” wrapper. It offers the upside of Bitcoin while using an active tail-risk hedge (options) to mitigate the extreme drawdowns crypto is known for. It’s a “one-stop” tool for pros who want crypto exposure without the portfolio-killing volatility.
Existing Peer: iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT)
ROAR: 20
M.D. Sass Concentrated Value ETF (SASS)
Why: In a world of “closet indexing,” SASS stands out by being unapologetically concentrated. For pros looking for a high-conviction value play that actually differentiates from the benchmark, this is a top-tier candidate.
Existing Peer: iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE)
ROAR: 40
WisdomTree US Adaptive Moving Average Fund (WAMA)
Why: An excellent defensive tool. Its trend-following logic (moving to T-bills in downturns) automates risk management, allowing pros to maintain equity exposure during rallies while having a systematic “off-switch.”
Existing Peer: Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF (PHDG)
ROAR: 40
These offer quality, specialized ways to play specific market segments.
Pacer ActiveAlpha India Quality ETF (INDQ)
Why: India is a crowded trade, but most funds are bloated with low-quality names. INDQ uses an “ActiveAlpha” approach to narrow the field to high-quality, concentrated picks. It’s a cleaner way to play the emerging market growth story.
Existing Peer: iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA)
ROAR: 10
Dimensional US Micro Cap ETF (DFMC)
Why: Micro-caps are the last bastion of true market inefficiency. Dimensional’s systematic, active approach is perfect for this segment, providing a diversified but managed way to capture the “small-cap premium” that broad indices often miss.
Existing Peer: iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM)
ROAR: 20
Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA)
Why: A truly unique thematic play. Unlike broad tech funds, NASA focuses on the “new” space economy. It’s an active fund that can pivot between satellite tech and orbital logistics, making it a powerful satellite holding for aggressive growth portfolios.
Existing Peer: State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT)
ROAR: 40
That’s this month’s report.
Reach out to me at info@sungardeninvestment.com with any questions, comments or feedback. You can also sign up for ETFYourself.com on Substack and chat with me directly there.
Let’s hope this year it was March showers bring April flowers, a month ahead of schedule!
Best regards,
Thank you Conor!
A big thank you to Conor MacWilliams from Outer Beach Conor for leading the first six editions before stepping into his new role at Direxion, where he’ll continue helping educate investors.
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. The opinions expressed by any author or co-author are strictly their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information or calculations provided. It is essential to consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the data. Investing in ETFs or any financial instrument involves risk, and you should conduct your own research. Past performance does not guarantee future results. By subscribing to this newsletter, you agree to these terms and conditions.
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