FactSet's Elisabeth Kashner – The Scoop: Deep ETF Trends Insights

In this conversation, Pierre Daillie interviews Elisabeth Kashner, Director of Global Funds Research, FactSet, about the trends and challenges in the ETF market. They discuss the slow pace of ETF flows in 2024, the impact of the Fed's rate cuts, and the attractiveness of cash investments. They also explore the rise of actively managed equity ETFs and the competition among asset managers to offer low-cost products. The conversation highlights the importance of providing exceptional value and solving the profitability challenge in the ETF industry. The asset management industry is experiencing a shift towards lower fees and increased efficiency, driven by the rise of ETFs. While some ETF issuers have raised their management expense ratios (MERs), it is often due to operational concerns rather than a desire to make more money. The industry is becoming more commoditized, allowing investors to focus on making the right asset allocation decisions. The ETF industry continues to grow, with inflows increasing every year. However, with over 3,500 ETFs available, investors need to do their homework and understand the products they are investing in.