The appetite for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) among independent investment advisors continues unabated into 2012, but a new report released today by Charles Schwab suggests advisors will use them differently this year.
US fixed income ETFs captured 54 per cent of ETF inflows in 2011, and US equity ETFs saw 33 per cent of flows, while funds tracking international equities and commodities – and gold in particular — lost favour.
Independent advisors held USD60 billion in ETF assets at Schwab as of 30 November, 2011, up five per cent from the end of 2010, and ETF trade volume among advisors was up 26 per cent during the same period
“Advisors large and small see real client benefits in ETFs’ low-cost structure and flexibility, as they can make tactical adjustments to portfolios in changing markets,” says Beth Flynn, vice president of ETF platform development at Charles Schwab. “The data in our report underscores this, and the insights from our experts offer a glimpse for advisors into the ETF landscape in 2012.”
