Coign Capital Advisors disclosed a purchase of 89,612 shares of the Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR 0.04%) in the third quarter—an estimated $4.6 million transaction based on the average share price for the period, according to an SEC filing released on Thursday.
What Happened
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission released on Thursday, Utah-based Coign Capital Advisors increased its stake in the Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF by 89,612 shares in the third quarter. The estimated value of the shares acquired is $4.6 million, based on the average share price for the period. As of September 30, the fund reported holding a total of 298,819 shares of EVTR.
What Else to Know
The purchase lifted EVTR to 8.5% of the fund’s reportable assets under management.
Top holdings after the filing:
- NYSE:EVTR: $15.4 million (8.5% of AUM)
- NASDAQMUTFUND:JHCP: $12.5 million (6.9% of AUM)
- NYSEMKT:PVAL: $11.7 million (6.4% of AUM)
- NASDAQ:TBIL: $10.9 million (6% of AUM)
- NYSEMKT:IVOO: $10.5 million (5.8% of AUM)
As of Friday, shares of EVTR were priced at $51.55, up 2.3% over the past year.
ETF Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $3.6 billion |
| Price (as of market close Friday) | $51.55 |
| 1-year total return | 7.1% |
ETF Snapshot
EVTR's investment strategy focuses on a diversified portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade fixed-income securities, including government, corporate, municipal, and mortgage- and asset-backed bonds. The fund's holdings are primarily composed of high-quality fixed-income instruments, aiming to balance income generation with capital preservation through broad sector and issuer diversification. It targets institutional investors seeking stable income and risk-adjusted returns through exposure to U.S. investment-grade bonds.
Foolish Take
Coign Capital Advisors’ third-quarter bet on the Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF highlights a defensive tilt as yields stabilize and investors shift toward balanced fixed income exposure. The Utah-based firm added 89,612 shares—an estimated $4.6 million purchase based on average pricing—lifting EVTR to 8.5% of reportable assets, now its largest holding, according to an SEC filing released Thursday.
The move coincides with Coign’s purchase of TBIL, reflecting a broader strategy to anchor portfolios in high-quality, income-generating assets while positioning for a softening rate environment. EVTR, which returned roughly 7% year-to-date with a 4.7% 30-day SEC yield, invests across Treasuries, corporate credit, and securitized debt, offering diversified exposure as borrowing costs ease.
For long-term investors, the fund’s mix of investment-grade bonds and moderate yield-to-worst (5.38%) should be appealing for those seeking steady income with lower duration risk. As rates presumably drift lower through late 2025, maintaining exposure to actively managed, multi-sector bond funds like EVTR could provide a smoother path to income stability and capital preservation compared with chasing short-term Treasury yields.
Glossary
ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund): An investment fund traded on stock exchanges, holding a basket of assets like stocks or bonds.
Assets Under Management (AUM): The total market value of all assets managed by a fund or investment firm.
13F reportable assets: Securities that investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC if they manage over $100 million.
Dividend yield: The annual dividends paid by an investment, expressed as a percentage of its current price.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Investment-grade: Bonds rated as relatively low risk of default by credit rating agencies, typically BBB- or higher.
Fixed-income securities: Investments that pay regular interest, such as bonds, providing predictable income.
Capital preservation: An investment goal focused on preventing loss of principal while earning modest returns.
Issuer diversification: Spreading investments across multiple bond issuers to reduce risk from any single issuer.
Mortgage-backed bonds: Bonds secured by a pool of mortgages, with payments passed through to investors.
Asset-backed bonds: Bonds backed by pools of assets like loans, leases, or receivables, providing collateral for investors.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
