ETFs’ Bull RunETFs’ Bull Run
ETF fund assets and numbers continue to soar in 2008. As of May 31, there were 683 ETFs in the U.S., with assets totaling approximately $612 billion. ETF industry assets rose nearly $17 billion for the month of May, buoyed by positive performance in the global equity markets, while some 23 new ETFs were launched during the month. Year-to-date, inverse/leveraged ETFs saw the biggest percent increase
July 1, 2008
Christina Mucciolo
ETF fund assets and numbers continue to soar in 2008. As of May 31, there were 683 ETFs in the U.S., with assets totaling approximately $612 billion. ETF industry assets rose nearly $17 billion for the month of May, buoyed by positive performance in the global equity markets, while some 23 new ETFs were launched during the month. Year-to-date, inverse/leveraged ETFs saw the biggest percent increase in assets, up 88 percent through May 31 to $8.5 billion. Currency and specialty ETFs followed, with assets up 42 percent and 40 percent, respectively, to $1.5 billion and $3.0 billion. But the category with the greatest total assets is international, at $166 billion. The ETF industry's offerings are still highly concentrated in the hands of a few ETF managers, especially when it comes to the domestic market: BGI, State Street and Vanguard account for approximately 85 percent of the ETFs listed domestically.
