The exchange traded fund industry blasted through previous records last year, racking up $1.5tn in inflows, 95 per cent of which went into equity and fixed-income funds, but 2025 could look very different, industry observers say.
With threats of tariffs and potential trade wars, and rapid changes to the geopolitical situation, nerves are being stretched tight and the appeal of moving beyond traditional buy-and-hold portfolio building blocks is likely to grow, industry figures say, even if that appeal is misguided.
“Investors should be wary of trying to catch a wave, it might not last,” said Bibb Strench, co-founder of ETF Bild, an ETF think-tank, and partner at law firm Thompson Hine.