Hightower Advisors LLC: Technology Focus with ETF Buys in Q3 2026 Portfolio Activity

According to insider data filed on InsiderSet, Hightower Advisors, Llc held a substantial portfolio valued at approximately $99.5 billion as of June 30, 2026.

Technology Sector Dominance and ETF Purchases

Hightower Advisors maintained its Technology sector allocation at around 13.28% ($132B) this quarter, primarily through established holdings like Apple Inc (AAPL), Microsoft Corp (MSFT), and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA). However, the most notable activity within this sector was not a direct stock purchase but rather significant buying of exchange-traded funds.

The investor substantially increased its positions in several Technology-themed ETFs. This includes Vanguard U.S. Growth ETF (VUG), acquiring nearly 8 million additional shares, representing a staggering 506% increase in holdings over the prior period and boosting its portfolio allocation to 0.8%. Similarly, there were large purchases of iShares Core Growth ETF (IWF), adding about 3.7 million shares with a 290% increase and an allocation of 0.6%, as well as significant additions to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) (+763%) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VO) +302%.

Mixed Activity in Established Sectors

The investor also showed buying interest in other sectors through ETF holdings. For instance, the allocation to Blue Owl Capital Inc (OWL), a player in Financial Services, increased by 17.7% this quarter.

Conversely, there were notable reductions and exits reported for certain holdings across various sectors. In the Consumer Cyclical space, Amazon Com Inc (AMZN)'s position was reduced by 4.66%, though its allocation remained healthy at 1.39%. Similarly, holdings in Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO) saw a significant decrease of -22.85%.

The investor also divested from several other positions entirely this quarter. These exits include holdings in WisdomTree TR (QGRW), Invesco Exchange Traded Fund T (RSPH), and small stakes in Nike Inc (NKE).

Financial Services: Major Holding Reduction

In the Financial Services sector, which accounts for roughly 1.4% ($13B) of the portfolio, Hightower Advisors significantly reduced its position in Blue Owl Capital Inc (OWL) by adding shares (+191%), but this was accompanied by a massive reduction elsewhere. The investor completely exited positions held previously in other Financial Services ETFs, including those referenced as RSPH, and notably reduced its stake in the major holding Altria Group Inc (MO) by -54.64%, though this particular stock is categorized under Consumer Defensive.

No Activity Disclosed for Some Sectors

The data does not indicate any changes to holdings within the Energy sector, which represents 1.8% ($17B) of the portfolio value. Similarly, no activity was disclosed for the Utilities sector allocation.