ETF assets explode as investors ramp up exposure

Investors are boosting exposure to exchange-traded products (ETPs) in their multi-asset portfolios, driving assets under management in the vehicles to new highs.

Research from BlackRock’s iShares indicates assets under management in ETPs globally hit $2trn at the start of this year, and it estimates AUM in European ETPs could more than double to pass $900bn by 2017. iShares said the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) has been a driver of the increased popularity of ETPs among retail investors, and this trend is set to continue. The use of ETPs by asset managers in multi-asset class portfolios has increased exponentially over the past couple of years, according to iShares. Data for 30 September 2010 to 30 September 2012 shows figures for group...