Analyzing WestEnd Advisors, LLC's Q3 2022 vs. Q4 2022 13F Holdings Comparison

WestEnd Advisors, LLC Q3 2022 vs. Q4 2022 13F Holdings Comparison

In the world of investing, one of the key tools for staying up-to-date is the quarterly 13F filings. These documents report the holdings of institutional investment managers and provide valuable insights into their investment strategies. In this article, we will be examining the Q3 2022 vs. Q4 2022 13F holdings comparison for WestEnd Advisors, LLC.

WestEnd Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor that manages approximately $1.8 billion in assets. According to the most recent 13F filing, the firm's portfolio consists of 61 stocks and ETFs with a total value of $720.9 million. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the firm made significant changes to its holdings, with several stocks seeing a substantial increase or decrease in value. Let's take a closer look at some of the most notable changes.

Healthcare ETFs See a Decrease in Holdings

One of the most significant changes in WestEnd's portfolio is the decrease in holdings of healthcare ETFs. Specifically, the Select Sector SPDR TR SBI Health (XLV) saw a decrease in shares from 3,207,463 to 3,110,138, a decrease of 97,325. The Q3 2022 value of $388,456 was also dwarfed by the Q4 2022 value of $422,512, which represented an 8.8% increase. Additionally, the Select Sector SPDR TR SBI Cons (XLP) saw a substantial increase in holdings, with shares increasing from 2,009,899 to 2,373,807, a difference of 363,908 shares. This change also saw an increase in value from $134,121 to $176,967, representing a 31.9% increase.

Energy Sector Stocks See a Large Decline

Another key trend in the WestEnd Advisors, LLC Q3 2022 vs. Q4 2022 13F holdings comparison is the significant decline in energy sector stocks. For example, Energy Sel Sect SPDR FD (XLE) saw significant drops in both shares and value. Shares dropped from 5,340 to 2,409, a decrease of 2,931 shares, while the Q3 2022 value of $385,000 was dwarfed by Q4 2022's $210,000, representing a 45.3% decrease.

Communication Sector Holds Steady

In contrast to the energy sector, the communication sector saw relatively little change in WestEnd Advisors, LLC's holdings. Select Sector SPDR TR COMMUNIC (XLC) went from 3,416,825 shares in Q3 2022 to 3,205,271 in Q4 2022, a decrease of 211,554 shares. Furthermore, the Q3 2022 value of $163,632 fell slightly in comparison to the Q4 2022 value of $153,820, which represented a 6% decline.

Financial Sector Stocks See a Decline

Financial sector stocks also saw a decline in the WestEnd Advisors, LLC portfolio. This sector was heavily represented by the Ishares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), which saw a significant increase in shares from 1,411 to 4,311, representing a difference of 2,900 shares. Additionally, its Q3 2022 value of $506,000 was dwarfed by the Q4 2022 value of $1,656,000, representing a 227.3% increase. However, other financial sector stocks, such as The Financial Sel Sect SPDR FD (XLF), saw substantial decreases in holdings. Shares went from 4,819 to 2,567, a difference of 2,252 shares, while the Q3 2022 value of $146,000 was dwarfed by the Q4 2022 value of $87,000, representing a 39.9% decrease.

Conclusion

The WestEnd Advisors, LLC Q3 2022 vs. Q4 2022 13F holdings comparison reveals notable changes in the holdings of the firm. While some sectors saw drastic decreases, others remained largely unchanged, and still others saw substantial growth. As always, these changes are not necessarily indicative of a shift in investment strategy by the firm but rather a reflection of the natural ebb and flow of the financial markets.