ETF Evaluator: NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF () Follow This ETF

NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF Overview

NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) is a passively managed International Equity Global Large-Stock Growth exchange-traded fund (ETF). New York Life Investment Management LLC launched the ETF in 2022.

The investment seeks results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders Index. The underlying index seeks to provide exposure to innovative companies by investing in the equities of companies around the world whose research and development (“R&D”) spending indicates a commitment to innovation and a focus on long-term growth. R&D spending includes expenditures on R&D intended for the development of concepts or ideas for products or services by which the issuer can increase revenues. The fund is non-diversified.

About NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND)

There are 2 members of the management team with an average tenure of 3.66 years: Greg Barrato (2022) and Francis Ok (2023). Management tenure is more important for actively managed ETFs than passive index ETFs.

The ETF has 2 primary benchmarks: MSCI World NR USD index with a weighting of 100% and NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders TR USD index with a weighting of 100%. NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has 218 securities in its portfolio. The top 10 holdings constitute 51.0% of the ETF’s assets. The ETF meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a nondiversified fund. The ETF is not considered to have an ESG focus with its investment selection and management.

NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF is part of the Equity global asset class and is within the International Equity ETF group. NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has 42.4% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues. The overall assets allocated to domestic stock is 58.7% There is 42.4% allocated to foreign stock, and 0.0% is allocated to preferred stocks. The bond allocation as a percentage of total assets is 0.0% (0.0% domestic bond, 0.0% foreign bond and 0.0% convertible bond). NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has -1.0% of the portfolio in cash.

Assets Under Management

The fund has $10 million in total assets, which is below the $1 billion average for the Global Large-Stock Growth category. Normally, lower assets under management translates to higher average expense ratios, and greater total assets are desired. However, for some investment categories, such as small-cap investing, it may be difficult for the manager to fully employ the desired active strategy if assets grow too large or too quickly.

WRND Performance and Fees

The expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for administrative expenses and operating expenses, including adviser fees and fees for the transfer agent and custodial services. The NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF expense ratio is low compared to funds in the Global Large-Stock Growth category. NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has an expense ratio of 0.18%, which is 71% lower than its category average, making the fund expense ratio grade a A. While it is difficult to predict returns, it is known that high annual expense ratios reduce your rate of return, and excessive fees are difficult to overcome. Active management normally comes with higher expense ratios than passive index management. Certain investment categories such as small company and foreign also normally have higher expense ratios. It is best to compare fund expense ratios against the category averages for meaningful assessments.

High portfolio turnover can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 91%, which indicates that it holds its assets around / 0.0 years. By way of comparison, the average portfolio turnover is 69% for the Global Large-Stock Growth category.

Recently, in the month of July 2026, NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF returned -0.3%, which earned it a grade of B, as the Global Large-Stock Growth category had an average return of -2.7%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D and F are based upon relative rankings within the investment category. A grade of A, for example, would indicate that the return is in the highest 20% for that time period compared to all ETFs in that category.

NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF has a trailing yield of 0.93%, which is above the 0.27% category average. The fund normally distributes its income quarterly and its capital gains annually.

It’s natural to seek the best-performing investments, but you must consider the relationship between risk and return and the impact of costs and taxes on your realized returns.

NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF Grades

Year to date, the ETF has returned 13.0%, 8.8 percentage points better than the category, which translates into a grade of C. The fund has returned 27.1% over the past year (grade of B) and 19.0% over the past three years (grade of B).

For more ETF grades, analysis and screening tools to help your investment discovery, join AAII for a $2, full-access trial. Learn more here: https://invest.aaii.com/membership.

Otherwise, for more information about NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF, including its riskiness, submit your email to unlock the rest of the article.