WGA’s Top Bank Indices Show Superior Performance in Early 2024

Whalen Global Advisors LLC reported that their specialized bank indices, particularly the WGA Bank Top 25, have significantly outperformed major bank ETFs in the early months of 2024. Insights from the WGA Bank Top 100, including the top 10, 25, and 50 indices, reveal key performance analytics of publicly traded banks.

IRA Chairman, Christopher Whalen, emphasized that despite a rough start in the first quarter, by May 6, 2024, the WGA Bank Top 25 Index had risen by 15.28%. This showcases the efficacy of selecting banks based on qualitative performance over mere size, challenging the typical strategies used in many passive investment funds.

Whalen highlighted that only a small fraction of banks in the WGA Bank Top 100 Index saw positive equity returns initially, underscoring the volatility and performance disparity within the sector. However, their results support the idea that a carefully curated portfolio can yield superior returns compared to broader market approaches.