- Business
- EA Series Trust - MKAM ETF (MKAM) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks to capture the majority of U.S. equity market returns, primarily mimicking the S&P 500 Index, while reducing volatility and mitigating drawdowns through dynamic asset allocation between U.S. equities and fixed-income investments. The Fund invests in U.S. equity securities, including large-cap stocks via ETFs such as iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV); cash equivalents and short-term fixed-income instruments, including U.S. Treasury securities, Treasury bills, money market funds, and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV); and may employ index put options for downside protection or sell index futures contracts for hedging. Under normal circumstances, equity exposure ranges from 0% to 100%, with a bias toward market participation, while fixed-income holdings serve as a defensive allocation during unfavorable trends or elevated valuations determined by the Sub-Adviser's proprietary model incorporating technical trend analysis (e.g., moving averages, relative strength) and fundamental valuation metrics; portfolio rebalancing occurs monthly or as needed based on model signals.
Launched on April 11, 2023, and listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under ticker MKAM, the Fund is a series of EA Series Trust (formerly Alpha Architect ETF Trust), a Delaware statutory trust formed in 2013 with headquarters at 19 East Eagle Road, Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083; it operates primarily in the U.S. market targeting long-term investors seeking equity-like returns with moderated risk. Empowered Funds, LLC dba EA Advisers serves as the investment adviser, while MKAM ETF LLC acts as sub-adviser, employing Principals Stephen R. Mulholland, CFA®, CFP®, and Mark Kuperstock, IACCP®, who founded the sub-adviser in 2023 specifically to manage the Fund using their proprietary algorithm previously applied in their advisory business. The Fund is non-diversified, with a net expense ratio of 0.53% following a management fee reduction from 0.94% to 0.50% effective January 14, 2025; as of recent data, assets under management approximate $9-10 million, with top holdings typically comprising over 99% in IVV, SGOV, and various U.S. Treasury notes.
Recent developments include updated prospectuses and SAIs dated July 31, 2025 (supplemented through October 31, 2025), reflecting ongoing regulatory compliance and portfolio adjustments amid a fiscal year 2025 portfolio turnover rate of 27% (down from 82% prior period); no major acquisitions, funding rounds, or strategic alliances have been announced in the last 1-2 years, with focus remaining on refining the trend-valuation model for asset shifts. Quasar Distributors, LLC serves as distributor, and shares trade at market prices that may differ from net asset value, with creations/redemptions occurring in large blocks via authorized participants. The Fund does not concentrate in any industry per Investment Company Act guidelines and maintains liquidity through daily portfolio disclosures at mkametf.com.