Global ETF News Older than One Year
BlackRock and Vanguard enjoy record inflows
January 13, 2017--Titans of asset management capitalise on popularity of low-cost passive investments
The world's two largest asset managers, BlackRock and Vanguard, enjoyed the largest inflows in their history last year as a record amount of money moved into low-cost passive investments at the expense of traditional actively managed funds.
Source: FT.com
Report on sterling "flash event", released by the Markets Committee
January 13, 2017-The Markets Committee today released its analysis of the 7 October 2016 "flash event" during which sterling depreciated by around 9% versus the dollar in early Asian trading, before quickly retracing much of the move.
The report concludes that a range of factors-rather than a single driver-catalysed the event.
Source: BIS
BlackRock reports $41 billion in institutional net inflows in quarter; net income falls 3%
January 13, 2017--BlackRock (BLK)'s assets under management reached $5.15 trillion as of Dec. 31, up 1% from three months earlier and up 11% from a year earlier, the firm said in its earnings statement released Friday.
Net inflows to the firm's long-term strategies were $87.8 billion in the fourth quarter, compared to net inflows of $55.2 billion in the third quarter and net inflows of $53.9 billion in the year earlier quarter.
Source: www.pionline.com
FSB publishes Policy Recommendations to Address Structural Vulnerabilities from Asset Management Activities
January 12, 2017--The Financial Stability Board (FSB) today published Policy Recommendations to Address Structural Vulnerabilities from Asset Management Activities.
The document sets out 14 final policy recommendations to address the following structural vulnerabilities from asset management activities that could potentially present financial stability risks:
liquidity mismatch between fund investments and redemption terms and conditions for open-ended fund units;
leverage within investment funds;
operational risk and challenges at asset managers in stressed conditions; and
securities lending activities of asset managers and funds.
Source: Financial Stability Board (FSB)
ETFGI reports ETFs/ETPs listed globally gathered record inflows of 389 billion US dollars and assets reached a new high of 3.546 trillion US dollars at the end of 2016
January 12, 2017--ETFGI, the leading independent research and consultancy firm on trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, today reported assets invested in ETFs/ETPs listed globally reached a new record high of US$3.546 trillion at the end of 2016 passing the prior record of US$3.444 trillion set at the end of November 2016.
In December, ETFs/ETPs gathered a record level of net inflows US$65.25 billion for December, marking the 35th consecutive month of net inflows. During 2016, ETFs/ETPs listed globally gathered a record amount of net inflows US$389.34 Bn surpassing the prior record of US$372.27 Bn gathered in 2015, according to preliminary data from ETFGI's Year-end 2016 global ETF and ETP industry insights report.
Source: ETFGI
World Gold Council-The gold market in 2017
January 12, 2017--In 2016, investors around the world returned in large numbers to the gold market, as a combination of macroeconomic drivers and pent up demand kept interest in gold high.
As we start the new year, there are some concerns that US dollar strength may limit gold's appeal. We believe that, on the contrary, not only will gold remain highly relevant as a strategic portfolio component, but also six major trends will support demand for gold throughout 2017.
Source: World Gold Council
Merk Gold Focus: Gold in Presidential Transition Years
January 12, 2017--We get a lot of questions on how gold will perform in 2017. While we have no crystal ball, we
thought the tidbit below might be of interest to you as you evaluate whether adding a gold component might provide valuable diversification to your portfolio.
Since Nixon took the US dollar off the gold standard in 1971 there have been seven Presidential transition years, i.e., years when a new president was inaugurated.
Source: Merk Investments
World Economic Forum-The Global Risks Report 2017
Under-Employed, Under-Inclusive and Under Threat: the World in 2017
January 11, 2017--Trends such as rising income inequality and societal polarization triggered political change in 2016 and could exacerbate global risks in 2017 if urgent action is not taken, according to the Global Risks Report 2017
Key drivers of risks can be arrested or reversed through building more inclusive societies, for which international cooperation and long-term thinking will be vital
Climate change ranks alongside income inequality and societal polarization as a top trend for 2017, with all five environmental risks featuring for the first time among the most likely and most impactful risks before the world.
World Economic Forum-The Global Risks Report 2017 report
view infograhic-These are the top 5 risks to doing business
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
State Street Global Advisors on 2017 Investment Outlook: Pivot To Find Growth amid Global Discord
January 10, 2017--State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today released its global market outlook and key investment themes for 2017. In the report, SSGA points to 2017 being another year with top-down global, political and policy developments that will have an outsized impact on investment returns.
"Seismic geopolitical events, most notably the Trump presidency and Brexit surprises, marked 2016 as a game-changer across the geo-political landscape, with significant implications for economies and markets alike," said Rick Lacaille, global chief investment officer for SSGA.
Source: State Street Global Advisors
Global Growth Edges Up to 2.7 Percent Despite Weak Investment
January 10, 2017--Global economic growth is forecast to accelerate moderately to 2.7 percent in 2017 after a post-crisis low last year as obstacles to activity recede among emerging market and developing economy commodity exporters, while domestic demand remains solid among emerging and developing commodity importers, the World Bank said in a report released on Tuesday.
Growth in advanced economies is expected to edge up to 1.8 percent in 2017, the World Bank's January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report said. Fiscal stimulus in major economies-particularly in the United States-could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects.
view the Global Economic Prospects JANUARY 2017 Weak Investment in Uncertain Times report
Source: World Bank
