BlackRock and Vanguard pull in 57% of global fund flows in 2018
February 17, 2019-- Chart of the week: index funds far outpaced active peers in a year defined by volatility
BlackRock and Vanguard together grabbed more than half of global net new inflows into long-term mutual funds in 2018, ratcheting up the pressure on the business models of smaller rivals.
Worldwide, new business flows into long-term mutual funds (excluding money market products) dropped by almost 70 per cent last year, declining to $606bn from the $2tn record set in 2017, according to Morningstar, the data provider.
Flow Traders releases January 2019 ETP market statistics
February 14, 2019--Flow Traders N.V. ("Flow Traders") (Euronext: FLOW), today releases the monthly ETP (Exchange Traded Products) market statistics for January 2019. This refers to general market observations only.
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ETFGI reports assets invested in global ETFs and ETPs industry rises back above 5 trillion US dollars in January 2019
February 14, 2019--ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, reported today that ETFs and ETPs listed Globally gathered net inflows of US$17.35 billion in January.
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry finished the month up 7.13%, from US$4.82 trillion at the end of December, to US$5.16 trillion, according to ETFGI's January 2019 Global ETF and ETP industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)
Highlights
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry rise 7.13% in January.
During January 2019, ETFs/ETPs listed Globally attracted $17.35 Bn in net inflows.
FSB report assesses FinTech developments and potential financial stability implications
February 14, 2019--The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report today on FinTech and market structure in financial services. The publication is part of the FSB's ongoing work to monitor FinTech market developments and their potential implications for financial stability.
The FSB defines FinTech as technology-enabled innovation in financial services that could result in new business models, applications, processes or products with an associated material effect on the provision of financial services.
Technological innovation holds great promise for the provision of financial services, with the potential to increase market access, the range of product offerings, and convenience while also lowering costs to clients. At the same time, new entrants into the financial services space, including FinTech firms and large, established technology companies ('BigTech'), could materially alter the universe of financial services providers. Greater competition and diversity in lending, payments, insurance, trading, and other areas of financial services can create a more efficient and resilient financial system.
Equity Trading Costs Rise To Three-Year High
February 14, 2019--Increased equity volatility in the final quarter of last year led to the highest global trading costs in the previous three years according to research from broker ITG.
Trading in all regions became more expensive, with the exceptions of emerging Europe and Middle East & Africa. ITG said in a report that commissions per share decreased slightly in the US and remained flat for the global traded universe over the same time period.
World Gold Council-Gold Investor-February 2019
February 12, 2019--In this edition of Gold Investor, we look back to the financial crisis; we consider the effect on the gold market since then and we look to the future.
In this edition:
The curse of cash and the allure of gold
Ken Rogoff suggests that excessive reliance on paper money is responsible for ills ranging from tax evasion to terrorism. Monetary policy would be more effective in a largely cashless society. Cryptocurrencies are not an effective replacement for paper money, but gold's role is likely to increase as cash fades from view.
view the World Gold Council-Gold Investor-February 2019
Global blockchain market to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2030, IHS Markit
February 12, 2019--IHS Markit expects revenues could reach $462 billion from using blockchain technology across global financial services.
The value of blockchain in the global financial services market could reach nearly half a trillion dollars within 2030, according to IHS Markit.
The information provider believes given the number of blockchain projects expected to launch and become commercially developed in the coming years, revenues could likely reach $462 billion.
The World Federation of Exchanges publishes 2018 Full Year Market Highlights
February 12, 2019--The World Federation of Exchanges ("WFE"), the global industry group for exchanges and CCPs, has today published its 2018 Full Year Market Highlights report.
Global stock markets had a turbulent year in 2018. Volatility made a come-back, breaking the spell of stable markets in 2017.
The return of volatility was against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, geopolitical and trade tensions, concerns about tightening monetary policy, and increased scrutiny of the technology sector.
While the year began on a high note, with domestic market capitalisation scaling record levels in markets across the globe, by the end of the year, there were significant declines in market valuations when compared to the beginning of 2018. In the presence of such high volatility, trading activity was up on 2017; however, overall primary market activity saw a slowdown, with a decline in overall IPO listings and investment flows.
view the World Federation of Exchanges-2018 Full Year Market Highlights report
BofA: Investors remain bearish on economy despite stocks rallying
February 12, 2019--Most investors remain bearish on the economy despite the recent rally in equity markets, as shown by cash allocations being the most overweight since the global financial crisis, said Bank of America Merrill Lynch's monthly fund manager survey released Tuesday.
A net 46% of surveyed investors this month expect global growth to weaken over the next 12 months, down from 60% the previous month. Meanwhile, 55% of investors are saying they expect secular stagnation over the next year, up from 14% in January.
Eurex clears first swap transaction for U.S. end clients
February 11, 2019--Eurex Clearing, one of the world's leading central counterparties (CCP), has cleared its first swap transaction for end clients domiciled in the U.S.
Citi is the first futures commission merchant (FCM) offering client swap clearing through Eurex Clearing. Eight fund companies have already joined Citi to take advantage of this service. The transaction is the next important milestone in Eurex's strategy to expand its U.S. distribution. As recently as December 2018, the CCP received approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to offer customer swap clearing in addition to the clearing services for futures already provided.