Cambria to Launch Global Equal Weight ETF (GEW) with 0.25% Expense Ratio, Trading September 25

Cambria Investment Management, a firm known for its quantitative investment strategies, is set to launch the Cambria Global Equal Weight ETF (GEW), with trading expected to commence on NASDAQ on September 25, 2025. The new fund aims to fill a notable gap in the market by offering low-cost, equal-weighted exposure to global equities. Meb Faber, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Cambria, highlighted the absence of such a product, stating, "Surprising, but there's not a low cost global stock equal weight ETF (like RSP). That's changing soon!"The GEW ETF will provide equal-weighted exposure to approximately the top 500 global equities across various geographies and sectors. This approach contrasts with traditional market-capitalization-weighted funds, which can lead to concentrated positions in a few large companies. The fund's expense ratio is set at a competitive 0.25%, positioning it as an accessible option for investors seeking broad international diversification.A distinctive feature accompanying the launch is a one-time opportunity for investors to contribute highly appreciated securities in exchange for GEW shares without immediately triggering capital gains taxes. This "351 ETF Exchange," structured under Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows investors to efficiently diversify concentrated, low-basis holdings. The exchange window for this tax-deferred opportunity is scheduled to close on September 3, 2025.Meb Faber emphasized the significance of this offering for investors, noting, "Many investors are sitting on highly appreciated positions they’d love to diversify, but taxes get in the way." He added that the GEW 351 ETF Exchange provides a "smart, one-time opportunity to modernize a portfolio, defer taxable gains, and access a globally diversified strategy in a single ETF." Cambria Investment Management currently oversees 18 ETFs with more than $2.7 billion in assets under management.