Although investment returns around the world continue to disappoint, the markets for exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded products (ETPs) continue to be vibrant, according to a preview of Barclays Global Investors’ ETF and ETP Industry Review report, which is scheduled to be released in the next few weeks.
According to the preview, at the end of this year’s first quarter there were 690 ETFs listed on three exchanges in the U.S. from 18 providers, representing assets of more than $430 billion, and 139 other ETPs from 19 providers with assets of $61.3 billion. Year-to-date, the asset levels of U.S. ETFs have declined by 13.5%, although March saw a rise in assets of almost $28 billion from the end of February. Daily trading volume in the first quarter rose by 10.2% to $84.9 billion.
In the U.S. ETF market, the big three players remain iShares (177 ETFs, $226.7 billion in assets, 52.7% market share), State Street Global Advisors (83 ETFs, $96.2 billion in assets, 22.4% market share), and Vanguard (38 products, $44.2 billion in assets, 10.3% market share).