Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF

Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) is an actively managed Franklin Templeton fund that held 63 stocks tied to genomics, such as gene therapy and DNA sequencing, as of June 30, 2026. Its managers pick stocks rather than track an index, and the portfolio is concentrated: Guardant Health (9.1%) and Natera (7.5%) led, and the top 10 made up 47%. Its 0.50% annual fee is slightly above the 0.45% average for similar funds.

• Over the year to Oct 27, 2026, HELX returned +28.8%, 9th of 9 among similar funds.
• Its 5-year annualized return was -3.0%.
• Its worst full calendar year was 2022 (-37.9%); its best was 2025 (+26.3%).
• The deepest fall in its price history was 58.8% (Sep 7, 2021 to Apr 8, 2025), not yet recovered.

As of Jun 30, 2026, the fund held 63 securities; the ten largest made up 47.05% of assets.

• Over the three months to Jun 30, 2026, investors added a net $2.0M (creations minus redemptions, per the N-PORT report).
• Monthly total returns reported for that quarter: +1.24%, +5.99%, +12.71%.

HELX is actively managed: instead of tracking an index, Franklin Templeton's managers choose the stocks. Under normal conditions, at least 80% of net assets go into companies the managers believe are focused on, or stand to benefit from, genomics, such as gene therapy, genome analysis and DNA sequencing. The theme also covers diagnostics, bioinformatics (computer analysis of biological data), drugmakers and agricultural uses. It may own companies of any size or sector, anywhere, including emerging markets, but concentrates in health care.

Picks come from “bottom-up” research: the managers study individual companies and business models, seeking the main beneficiaries of new developments in genomics. Position sizes are the managers' call, within a cap on any one holding. They may exit a stock when it hits its valuation target or size cap, its business weakens, a policy change clouds its outlook, or a better opportunity appears. Turnover, roughly the share of the portfolio replaced in a year, was 29%.

It is a plain stock fund with no leverage or options, and its June 30, 2026 holdings report showed no derivatives. Being “non-diversified” lets it hold bigger stakes in fewer companies: the top 10 of 63 holdings made up 47% of assets. Its market price can drift above or below net asset value (NAV), the per-share worth of its holdings.

• HELX charges 0.5% a year, versus an average of 0.45% for the similar funds below (6th of 9, cheapest first).
• Using the prospectus's standard example, $10,000 invested would cost about $51 in the first year and $629 over 10 years (assuming a 5% annual return).

Its narrow genomics theme, heavy health care concentration and 58.8% peak-to-trough drop make it a small add-on rather than a foundation.

HELX could add a focused bet on genomics, but it has been a rough ride. It launched on February 25, 2020, days into the COVID crash, so it lacks a full record of that drop or of 2008. In the 2022 bear market it fell 38.8% from January 3 to September 26, and 2022 was its worst year, down 37.9%. Its deepest drop was 58.8%, from September 7, 2021 to April 8, 2025, and it had not regained that peak as of October 27, 2026. Withdrawing during such a slump would lock in steep losses.

Income is minimal: the yield was 0.32% as of October 27, 2026, paid once a year. The 0.50% annual fee works out to $51 after one year and $629 after ten on the SEC's standard $10,000 example. Past results don't predict future returns, and a plan should weigh the whole portfolio, not one fund.

Matched by holdings overlap from the latest N-PORT reports.