BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research has commenced research coverage of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The firm will initially cover more than 100 US large, mid-cap and sector ETFs based on an innovative and proprietary rating methodology developed to provide additional value to the firm’s institutional and wealth management clients.
“We have actively supported a year-long effort to allow broker dealers’ research departments to begin covering ETFs as we felt strongly it would serve the best interests of our clients,” says Candace Browning, head of BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research. “As the number of ETFs and inflows continue to grow, we are confident our clients will find value in the ETF team’s insights.”
Mary Ann Bartels (pictured), head of Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Strategy for BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, leads the coverage team. With more than 25 years of investment experience in both research and wealth management, Bartels is known for high-quality portfolio strategy and research. She was an Institutional Investor All-America Research-ranked analyst from 2006 through 2011, and is highly regarded for developing proprietary models for equity pairs trading and for her sector, industry and stock selection.