Institutions Raise ETF Stakes
Institutional Investors Significantly Boost Stakes in Key SPDR, iShares, and Vanguard ETFs
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Beyond Western Wealth Management LLC's SPEM boost, several other institutions increased their SPEM holdings in Q1: Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors LLC (+4.1% to 5,051 shares), Trinity Wealth Management LLC (+0.9% to 21,496 shares), Kelman Lazarov Inc. (+3.3% to 6,272 shares), Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. (+4.8% to 4,499 shares), and River Street Advisors LLC (+1.8% to 12,122 shares).
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In Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB), JDM Financial Group LLC's 4.3% increase to 94,414 shares was complemented by Western Wealth Management LLC's 4.2% rise to 9,461 shares, along with larger positions held by McIlrath & Eck LLC (72,618 shares) and Graney & King LLC (4,651 shares); the filing also notes new VB stakes by Hobbs Group Advisors LLC and SHUTTLEWORTH & Co during the quarter.
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For SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW), JDM Financial Group LLC increased its stake by 13.7% to 744,083 shares, making SPDW about 7.1% of its portfolio and SPDW its second-biggest position, valued at roughly $33.97 million.
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Other SPDW activity in 1Q included new positions opened by Ascentis Independent Advisors and Johnson Financial Group, while Albion Financial Group UT and Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. had opened SPDW positions in the prior quarter; Hobbs Group Advisors LLC also lifted its SPDW stake by about 3.1% to 574,518 shares.
Several institutional investors significantly expanded their positions in major exchange-traded funds during the first quarter of 2025, with moves spanning emerging markets, international developed stocks, and small-cap equities. Western Wealth Management LLC nearly doubled its stake in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM), boosting holdings by 104% to 136,744 shares worth roughly $6.4 million, according to Watchlist News.
The activity reflects broad institutional rebalancing across a range of ETF categories. JDM Financial Group LLC and Western Wealth Management LLC were among the most active buyers, each lifting stakes in multiple funds simultaneously.
JDM Financial Group Makes SPDW Its Second-Biggest Holding
JDM Financial Group LLC raised its stake in SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) by 13.7% in Q1. The firm now holds 744,083 shares valued at about $33.97 million. That makes SPDW roughly 7.1% of JDM's total portfolio — its second-largest position, according to Watchlist News.
JDM also added to other ETFs in the same quarter. The firm grew its SPEM stake by 6.2%, reaching 310,231 shares. It boosted its position in BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) by 21.5% to 263,197 shares. It also jumped into SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust (MDY), raising that stake by a massive 3,812.9% to 26,960 shares, per Ticker Report.
Western Wealth Piles Into SPDW and Momentum ETF
Western Wealth Management LLC also added heavily to SPDW, expanding its position by 47.4% to 295,301 shares. That stake is now worth around $13.48 million. The firm separately boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) by 26.4%, reaching 18,263 shares worth about $4.38 million.
Western Wealth also nudged up its Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) stake by 4.2%, to 9,461 shares. JDM held a much larger VB position — 94,414 shares worth $24.7 million after a 4.3% increase — making VB one of its top holdings. New VB buyers in Q1 included Hobbs Group Advisors LLC and SHUTTLEWORTH & Co, according to Watchlist News.
Smaller Firms Also Quietly Add to SPEM Positions
Beyond the large moves, a cluster of smaller advisors lifted their SPEM stakes in Q1. Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position by 4.1% to 5,051 shares. Trinity Wealth Management LLC added 0.9% to reach 21,496 shares. Kelman Lazarov Inc. raised its stake 3.3% to 6,272 shares, per Watchlist News.
Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. increased its SPEM holdings by 4.8% to 4,499 shares. River Street Advisors LLC added 1.8%, reaching 12,122 shares. While none of these moves are large in dollar terms, the pattern shows broad and consistent demand for emerging markets exposure across many different firms.
New SPDW Entrants Signal Growing Appetite for International Stocks
Fresh buyers also entered the SPDW trade in Q1. Ascentis Independent Advisors and Johnson Financial Group both opened new positions in the fund during the quarter. Albion Financial Group UT and Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. had already started SPDW positions the prior quarter, showing a multi-quarter trend of growing interest.
Hobbs Group Advisors LLC added to an existing SPDW stake, lifting it by about 3.1% to 574,518 shares. JDM also boosted its Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) position by 37.2% to 7,909 shares in the same period, per Ticker Report. Taken together, the Q1 filings show institutions diversifying broadly — across regions, market caps, and investment styles.
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