Michael F. Sciortino, Sr. Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Head of Distribution, CMG
Wow, what a conference!
Each year Inside ETFs has grown larger and the content continues to amaze. Why? The easiest and fastest way to instantly transform your business results is to change the strategy you follow. This is an exciting time in this space. Many advisors are hearing this message loud and clear.
Last year alone, a quarter-trillion dollars went into US listed ETFs. That is a huge gain compared to 2013 inflows of $188 billion. ETFs have truly expanded the way in which investors access various asset classes. It appears that investors have been attracted to the transparent, relatively cheap, tax efficient and highly tradeable aspects of ETFs.
Steve Blumenthal (l), Sue Tirukonda CFP (c), Avi Rutstein (r) at Inside ETFs, Hollywood, Florida
Yesterday morning, Matt Hougan, president of ETF.com shared with everyone some very interesting findings from a study of advisors. When asked what their ETF use will do over the next 3 years, 47% said their use would increase. ETFs are powerful tools that are reshaping our market. It’s amazing to see the innovation and creativity present in this space today.
ETFs are here to stay with total US listed ETF assets of more than $2 trillion at the end of 2014. We look for continued growth in this space in 2015. This is why attending and actively participating in industry conferences like this is so vital. In our changing market environment, adopting a proactive long term strategy that utilizes ETFs is critical.
John Hyland, managing Director at iShares Blackrock hosted a lively panel entitled ” To Boldly Go: How ETF Strategists Are Reinventing Portfolio Management.” It was clear from the panel that you can’t be all things to all people but that the real story is to be the solution to the client’s current problems such as providing the necessary funds for them to be able to retire comfortably.
Tomorrow the Conference winds up and we’ll be heading home, energized by the great content and all the new connections we made.
