Assets invested in active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) worldwide reached their greatest peak yet at the end of the third quarter (Q3), data indicates.
ETF research consultancy ETFGI said assets rose to $40.33 billion (€36.95 billion) during Q3. This sum is invested in 293 ETFs from 56 providers.
In contrast to their index-tracking counterparts, the underlying portfolios of active ETFs can be revised to potentially outperform indices.
ETFGI figures show that assets are fairly concentrated: the nine active ETFs with assets of over $1 billion each – or $21 billion combined – represent just over half the market.
Pimco is the largest, managing $8.07 billion – a 20% market share.
Source is second with $5.49 billion (13.6%), followed by First Trust with $5.44 billion and (13.5%). This accounts for 47.1% of global active ETF assets.
As of September 30, active ETFs had gleaned net inflows of $3.86 billion year-to-date. In September alone, active ETFs saw net inflows of $574 million.
The performance of active ETFs appears contrary to the wider ETF market, which by one estimate saw assets fall in September.
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