Inside ETFs 2020 was a highly energetic and engaging event that helped clarify many of the big questions from 2019 and ushered in the next generation of ETFs in the US.
With recent rulings by the SEC dominating the conversation, the addition of new content and new formats at Inside ETFs left attendees better prepared for the year ahead.
So, what did we learn? First and foremost, non-transparent active ETFs are coming, the implications of this for investors and issuers remains to be seen. While many believe this will open ETFs to newly set up investors, many feel these ETFs are a solution in search of a problem.
With the audience’s perspective mixed on the issue it will be up to investors and their dollars to see if these innovative ETFs will make the grade.
The expectations of 2020 were a highly debated topic - but the one clear outcome was the continued rise of fixed income ETFs.
With 2019 setting records for inflows, the audience was in agreement that this trend will only continue to get bigger and bigger as more investors wake up to their ease of use, transparency, low cost and, maybe most importantly, how they can save money managers time and energy. Will they bring diversification to any bond allocation with the push of a button?
As always, Inside ETFs allowed advisors to connect with their peers; it allowed the industry to gather and, of course, helped shape the conversation for 2020 and beyond.
John Swolfs, CEO, Inside ETFs