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Written by: David Trainer The Telecom Services sector ranks second out of the 11 sectors as detailed in our 3Q18 Sector Ratings for ETFs and Mutual Funds report. Last quarter , the Telecom Services sector ranked ninth. It gets our Attractive rating, which is based on an aggregation of ratings of the 43 stocks in the Telecom Services secto. See a recap of our 2Q18 Sector Ratings here .Figures 1 and 2 show the five best and worst rated ETFs and mutual funds in the sector. Not all Telecom Services sector ETFs and mutual funds are created the same. The number of holdings varies widely (from 22 to 81). This variation creates drastically different investment implications and, therefore, ratings.Investors seeking exposure to the Telecom Services sector should buy one of the Attractive-or-better rated ETFs or mutual funds from Figures 1 and 2.Our Robo-Analyst technology [1] empowers our unique ETF and mutual fund rating methodology , which leverages our rigorous analysis of each fund’s holdings. [2] We think advisors and investors focused on prudent investment decisions should include analysis of fund holdings in their research process for ETFs and mutual funds. 
* Best ETFs exclude ETFs with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filingsRelated: 5 REITs That Out-Performed With an Extraordinary Record of Dividend Growth IGN is excluded from Figure 1 because its total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums. 
* Best mutual funds exclude funds with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filingsWIREX is excluded from Figure 2 because its total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums.IXP is the top-rated Telecom Services ETF and FWRLX is the top-rated Telecom Services mutual fund. Both earn a Very Attractive rating.FCOM is the worst rated Telecom Services ETF and FTUAX is the worst Telecom Services mutual fund. They both earn a Very Unattractive rating.43 stocks of the 2850+ we cover are classified as Telecom Services stocks. The Danger Within Buying a fund without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business and finances. Put another way, research on fund holdings is necessary due diligence because a fund’s performance is only as good as its holdings’ performance. Don’t just take our word for it, see what Barron’s says on this matter.PERFORMANCE OF HOLDINGs = PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAnalyzing each holding within funds is no small task. Our Robo-Analyst technology enables us to perform this diligence with scale and provide the research needed to fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. More of the biggest names in the financial industry (see At BlackRock, Machines Are Rising Over Managers to Pick Stocks ) are now embracing technology to leverage machines in the investment research process. Technology may be the only solution to the dual mandate for research: cut costs and fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. Investors, clients, advisors and analysts deserve the latest in technology to get the diligence required to make prudent investment decisions.Figures 3 and 4 show the rating landscape of all Telecom Services ETFs and mutual funds. Figure 3: Separating the Best ETFs From the Worst ETFs 
