iShares Touts Record Global ETP Flows

Happy times for global exchange traded products has spelled happy times for BlackRock, Inc.

The company announced today that its iShares business has led the global industry in 2012, boasting $85.3 billion in ETP market flows. Global ETP market flows for the entire industry totaled $262.7 billion.

iShares global assets under management reached $758.6 billion as of Dec. 31.

The iShares U.S. product line topped flows with $61 billion in new assets, surpassing the previous record for U.S. iShares ETPs of $591. billion in 2007. Globally, iShares captured 56% of all new money entering European ETPs, or $18.3 billion in net new flows, while in Canada it increased its assets to $42 billion.

The popularity of ETPs are fueled by regional regulatory developments, deepening ETP liquidity, and increasing awareness among investors regarding the benefits of ETPs, iShares explained in a press release.

Regarding iShares performance, Mark Wiedman, global head of iShares, stated that fixed income was a major contributor to record flows, adding that iShares captured $28.8 billion globally, or 41% of all new flows into fixed income ETFs.

"Fixed income was a key driver of flows globally, as investors of all kinds increasingly adopt ETFs as an essential instrument for accessing the bond markets," Wiedman said.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Mutual funds Money Management Executive
MORE FROM FINANCIAL PLANNING