Repositioning Portfolios in a Tech-Dominated Market: Why Diversification and Cost Matter

The tech sector’s dominance in global markets has created both opportunity and risk. While tech stocks have powered equity gains for years, their outsized influence leaves portfolios vulnerable to sector-specific volatility. Yet many investors remain overexposed to tech—often through high-cost funds like the Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB)—while overlooking the benefits of low-cost, sector-diversified ETFs such as FTEC, VPU, and XLV. This article argues that rebalancing away from expensive, tech-averse funds and toward cost-efficient, broadly diversified ETFs is critical to navigating today’s market dynamics.

The High Cost of Avoiding Tech: GAB’s Flawed Strategy

The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB), a non-diversified equity fund, has positioned itself as a refuge from tech’s volatility. With a focus on long-term capital growth and a strict 10% annual distribution policy, GAB claims to avoid the sector’s extremes. However, its expense ratio of 1.590%—over 10 times that of competing ETFs—raises red flags.

Consider this: over a decade, an investor in GAB would pay nearly $16,000 in fees for every $100,000 invested, assuming a 5% annual return. In contrast, an ETF like the Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC), with its rock-bottom 0.08% expense ratio, would cost just over $800 in the same period. Even GAB’s “tech-avoidance” strategy is questionable: its top holdings include companies like Berkshire Hathaway and Comcast, which still derive significant revenue from tech-driven industries.

The ETF Advantage: Low Costs and Sector Flexibility

To counter overexposure to tech while optimizing costs, investors should look to ETFs that offer broad diversification at a fraction of GAB’s fees. Three standout options:

1. FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF):
2. Expense ratio: 0.08% (the lowest among broad tech ETFs).
3. Tracks the MSCI US IMI Technology 25/50 Index, providing exposure to 400+ tech firms.

5. VPU (iShares U.S. Utilities ETF):

6. Expense ratio: 0.10% (vs. 0.12% for XLV).

7. Holds utilities stocks, offering stable income and low correlation to tech volatility.

8. XLV (SPDR S&P 500 Health Care ETF):

9. Expense ratio: 0.12%.
10. Tracks the S&P 500 Health Care sector, a defensive play with long-term growth potential.

These ETFs collectively provide exposure to three distinct sectors (tech, utilities, healthcare) at an average expense ratio of 0.10%—far below GAB’s 1.59% and the broader market’s average of 0.3%–0.9%.

Why Diversification Trumps Sector Avoidance

Avoiding tech entirely is a losing strategy in a market where the sector represents nearly 30% of the S&P 500’s market cap. Instead of fleeing tech, investors should use ETFs to balance exposure while minimizing costs. Pairing FTEC with VPU and XLV creates a portfolio that:
- Mitigates volatility: Utilities and healthcare sectors often outperform during tech downturns.
- Maximizes returns: Low expense ratios ensure more of your gains stay in your pocket.
- Aligns with market trends: Tech’s innovation cycle remains a growth driver, but diversification guards against overconcentration.

Time to Act: Rebalance Now

The case for rebalancing is clear. GAB’s high fees and incomplete tech avoidance make it a poor choice for investors seeking true diversification. Meanwhile, the combination of FTEC, VPU, and XLV delivers sector-balanced exposure at a fraction of the cost.

Investors should:
1. Sell GAB: Its expense ratio erodes returns, and its tech-avoidance is inconsistent with market realities.
2. Buy FTEC, VPU, XLV: Allocate 40% to tech (FTEC), 30% to utilities (VPU), and 30% to healthcare (XLV) for balanced risk-adjusted returns.
3. Monitor costs: Use ETFs to stay below the market’s average expense ratio, preserving capital for growth.

Conclusion

In a tech-dominated market, the key to success is not avoiding the sector but diversifying across sectors while slashing costs. GAB’s high fees and flawed strategy make it an outdated option. By embracing low-cost ETFs like FTEC, VPU, and XLV, investors can build portfolios that are both resilient to volatility and aligned with modern market dynamics. The time to rebalance is now—before tech’s cyclical swings catch you off guard.

This article synthesizes actionable data and a clear investment thesis, urging readers to prioritize cost efficiency and sector diversification in today’s volatile markets.