Modera's Strategic Portfolio Trims
Modera Wealth Management Reduces Holdings in Key ETFs and Stocks During First Quarter
Anonymous
Key Points
1
In the first quarter, Modera Wealth Management LLC sold 3,260 shares of the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), leaving 159,008 shares valued at about $39.43 million.
2
Modera trimmed its Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) stake by 55,709 shares in the quarter, bringing the holding to 1,632,519 shares worth about $88.24 million; VWO accounts for roughly 1.1% of Modera’s portfolio and is its 24th-largest holding.
3
In Walmart Inc. (WMT), Modera reduced its stake by 6,756 shares in the quarter to 194,397 shares worth about $24.16 million; hedge funds and other institutional investors own about 26.76% of Walmart stock.
4
Modera cut its Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) position by 4,479 shares (2.2%) in the first quarter, to 196,327 shares valued at about $25.72 million; hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.30% of Emerson stock.
5
Modera reduced its position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) by 3.4% in the first quarter to 771,306 shares, worth about $52.09 million; institutional investors own about 14.60% of IJH.
Modera Wealth Management LLC quietly scaled back its exposure across five major ETF and stock positions during the first quarter of 2025, according to Watchlist News. The New Jersey-based firm trimmed holdings ranging from a 2.0% cut in its iShares Russell 2000 ETF position to a 3.4% reduction in both Walmart and the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF.
The moves were modest in percentage terms but meaningful in dollar value. Modera's five trimmed positions together represent more than $229 million in market value, signaling a deliberate, broad-based reduction rather than a single tactical call.
Emerging Markets and Small-Cap Cuts Lead the Quarter
The largest dollar reduction came in the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). Modera sold 55,709 shares, bringing its stake to 1,632,519 shares worth about $88.24 million, according to Watchlist News. VWO is Modera's 24th-largest holding and makes up roughly 1.1% of its total portfolio.
On the small-cap side, Modera shed 3,260 shares of the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). That left the firm with 159,008 shares valued at about $39.43 million. The Russell 2000 tracks smaller U.S. companies, making it a barometer for domestic economic confidence.
Mid-Cap ETF and Emerson Electric Also See Reductions
Modera cut its iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) position by 3.4%, dropping to 771,306 shares worth about $52.09 million, per Watchlist News. Institutional investors as a whole own about 14.60% of IJH, a sign the ETF is widely held but not heavily concentrated among big players.
The firm also trimmed its Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) stake by 4,479 shares, a 2.2% reduction. Modera now holds 196,327 shares valued at about $25.72 million. Institutional investors own a hefty 74.30% of Emerson stock overall, meaning the company is strongly backed by professional money managers.
Walmart Stake Trimmed as Institutions Hold Minority Share
Modera shaved 6,756 shares from its Walmart Inc. (WMT) position, landing at 194,397 shares worth about $24.16 million, according to Watchlist News. Unlike Emerson, institutional ownership of Walmart is relatively low — hedge funds and institutions together hold just 26.76% of the retail giant's stock.
Walmart's broad retail base means individual investors own the majority of shares. Modera's small trim there may reflect simple portfolio rebalancing rather than a bearish view on the company's fundamentals.
Broader Trend: Many Institutions Adjusted Holdings in Q1
Modera was not alone in making adjustments. Watchlist News noted that numerous other institutional investors and hedge funds also shifted their positions in these same securities during the first quarter. The pattern points to a wider repositioning among professional investors as markets absorbed early 2025 volatility.
Modera also made at least one notable addition during the quarter — raising its Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) stake by 3.7% to 1,241,457 shares worth $542.26 million. That suggests the firm was not pulling back entirely, but rotating — reducing broad and international exposure while leaning into U.S. large-cap growth.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
31
Articles
30
Reach
61
A
AnonymousAuthor