ETF Studies, Guides, and Surveys

ETFs for Institutional Investors

Not long ago, we wrote about the institutionalisation of ETFs, the abundance of ETF products that presently exist, and some of the reasons that they are currently being utilised within institutional portfolios.

The below papers are a continuation of this story, going into additional detail about drivers of ETF demand, thematic ETFs, and other ETF-related topics, presented via an insightful aggregation of studies, guides, and surveys. 

Guide to ETFs (BlackRock, 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

The index investing evolution has spawned a broad range of vehicles and indices for institutional investors to choose from. This report highlights ways that institutions are using ETFs across asset classes to improve portfolio outcomes.

Smart Beta Strategies: A Main Driver of ETF Demand (BlackRock, 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States

As a part of its 9th annual US ETF Study, Greenwich Associates interviewed 181 institutional investors on the linkage between the utilisation of smart beta strategies and the demand for ETFs. Around one-third of investors surveyed plan on increasing allocations to factor-based or smart beta ETFs over the next year.

ETFs: A Primary Means of Obtaining Fixed Income Exposure (BlackRock, 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States

As a part of its 9th annual US ETF Study, Greenwich Associates interviewed 181 institutional investors on the utility of ETFs for portfolio construction purposes, finding that ETFs are now considered as a primary means of obtaining fixed income exposures within institutional portfolios. Liquidity, ease of use, speed of access, and low management fees are some of the top reasons for using bond ETFs.

Exchange-Traded Funds in General Accounts (Invesco, May 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

ETFs are becoming standard investment tools for insurance companies, but for the moment, life insurers and property and casualty companies are employing ETFs in different ways and for different purposes.

European Gold ETPs reach record highs (World Gold Council, Apr 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

This document by the World Gold Council provides a market update on European exchange-traded products (ETPs).

The Alpha/Beta Allocator: 6 steps to a better portfolio (Lyxor ETF, Apr 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the UK & Europe

Lyxor ETF's Q1 2019 Alpha/Beta Allocator helps readers to discover the latest news on the performance of investment managers. It also contains Marlène Hassine Konqui’s 6 steps to a better portfolio.

Time to get your core in shape (BlackRock, 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

In an effort to shape the strategic process of constructing better portfolios, this paper outlines approaches grounded in indexing and ETF selection to build core portfolio positions.

Have High-Yield ETFs Created Liquidity Risk? (MSCI blog, Mar 2019)

Did heavy ETF redemptions impact bond spreads during Q4 of 2018? How liquid was the high yield market during this time period?

The Revenge of the Stock Pickers (Financial Analysts Journal, 2019)

Stock pickers and analysts are starting to pay attention to thematic ETF trades, as the stocks that underlie the ETFs can become mispriced through purely thematic trading activities.

A drop in the bucket: Indexing’s share of U.S. trading activity (Vanguard, 2019)

Just how much of the trading volume on US exchanges is due to index funds, index ETFs, or other types of indexing strategies? This paper estimates that their total trading volume is far less than other quoted figures.

Emerging Markets Equity Indices and ETFs (Lyxor ETF, Apr 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the UK & Europe

The Lyxor ETF EM Equity Spotlight report is a guide that covers EM equity indices, and the broad, country-specific, and regional exposures within them. It also looks at active vs passive performance and trends in fund flows.

Four factors fueling Europe's ETF fixed income surge (FTSE Russell blog, Apr 2019)

FTSE Russell describes the four main reasons behind the recent increase in fixed income ETF usage by institutional investors in Europe.