A Deep Dive into Merit Financial Group's Q4 2022 vs. Q1 2023 13F Holdings

Merit Financial Group recently filed their 13F holdings with the SEC, providing valuable insights into their investments. In this article, we will be analyzing Merit Financial Group's Q4 2022 vs. Q1 2023 13F holdings to determine the changes they have made and what it means for their portfolio.

Starting off, the largest percentage change in holdings was seen in VGSH (Vanguard Scottsdale Fds). Merit Financial Group's holdings in VGSH increased by a staggering 9708.5%, going from 15,392 shares to 1,491,209 shares. The value of their holdings in VGSH increased as well, going from $889,000 to $87.3 million. It is unclear why Merit Financial Group made such a significant investment in VGSH, but the increase in holdings is something to keep an eye on.

The next significant change was seen in USFR (WisdomTree Tr). Merit Financial Group's holdings in USFR decreased by 37.6%, going from 533,182 shares to 332,604 shares. The value of their holdings decreased from $26.8 million to $16.7 million. It is important to note that USFR has been struggling recently, with a 1-year return of only 0.14%.

Moving on to individual stock holdings, Merit Financial Group made some noticeable changes. Their holdings in Apple Inc (AAPL) decreased by 11.7%, going from 498,135 shares to 438,430 shares. In contrast, their holdings in Microsoft Corp (MSFT) increased by 24%, going from 141,913 shares to 146,373 shares.

Another interesting change was seen in Tesla Inc (TSLA). Merit Financial Group's holdings in TSLA decreased significantly by 29.1%, going from 99,467 shares to 70,618 shares. The value of their holdings decreased from $12.3 million to $14.7 million. This decrease comes as a surprise, as TSLA has been performing well with a 1-year return of 53.57%.

Looking at ETF holdings, Merit Financial Group made significant changes to their holdings in VTI (Vanguard Index Fds). Their holdings decreased by 66.6%, going from 785,693 shares to 246,078 shares. The value of their holdings also decreased from $150.2 million to $50.2 million. This is a substantial decrease in holdings, and it signals a notable shift in Merit Financial Group's portfolio.

In contrast, their holdings in VOO (Vanguard Index Fds) increased significantly by 91.3%, going from 342,442 shares to 612,052 shares. The value of their holdings increased from $120.3 million to $230.2 million. This is a positive sign for VOO, which has been performing well with a 1-year return of 27.03%.

Lastly, Merit Financial Group made notable changes in their holdings in SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF). Their holdings decreased by 4.5%, going from 94,499 shares to 92,278 shares. The value of their holdings decreased from $36.1 million to $37.8 million. This is a relatively minor change and is not significant in comparison to the other changes made in Merit Financial Group's portfolio.

In conclusion, Merit Financial Group's Q4 2022 vs. Q1 2023 13F holdings indicate significant changes to their portfolio. Their shift in holdings from individual stocks to ETFs, and the substantial decrease in holdings in VTI, are important to keep an eye on. Additionally, their increase in holdings in VOO and MSFT are positive signs for those stocks. Overall, investors should pay attention to Merit Financial Group's holdings and how they evolve in the coming months.