The Swiss ETF market ended 2024 on a strong note, with Q4 achieving the highest turnover since Q2 2022.
Trading activity on Six, the financial group that runs the Swiss stock exchange, reached CHF 13.1 billion, reflecting a 49.9% year-on-year increase, while transactions surged 57.6% during the same period. This marked the third consecutive quarter of rising turnover and volume, as total ETF trades hit an all-time high of 2,304,529 in 2024.
Equity ETFs remained dominant, accounting for 74.96% of total turnover, while bond ETFs gained market share, rising 1.16 percentage points to 15.06%. Thematic and strategy-driven ETFs were the top performers, particularly blockchain-focused funds, with WisdomTree Blockchain and VanEck Crypto Innovators returning 39.11% and 35.56%, respectively.
Swiss fund market hits record high in Q1 2024
The momentum in ETF product launches continued, according to the data, with 57 new ETF listings in Q4, bringing the total listed ETFs on Six to 1,885 by year-end. A key trend was the growing focus on interest rate-sensitive products, as J.P. Morgan introduced actively managed equity funds, while Robeco debuted with eight ETFs, and Abrdn launched an ETF targeting global real estate markets.
With investors increasingly turning to ETFs for portfolio diversification, demand for broader European market exposure and niche investment themes is expected to drive further growth in 2025. Market participants anticipate continued innovation in product offerings, particularly in areas such as sustainable investing, alternative assets, and thematic strategies.
David Smith, head of ETF sales at Six Swiss Exchange, commented: “The milestones reached in Q4 demonstrate the growth and strength of the Swiss ETF market both as a listing venue for new innovative ETFs and the deep liquidity available in Switzerland. As a versatile investment vehicle, ETFs are exceptionally well-positioned to meet investor demands, leveraging Switzerland’s status as a global financial hub to capitalise on broader global investment trends.”
