ETFs

Passive funds attracted new cash even if their returns were negative.

Investors have found the sector attractive again as Treasury yields dropped to 2.8% in six days.

Total assets of the fund have increased almost 20 times since December.

The asset manager's flows are down 42% year-over-year. The industry: 50%.

As equities in the sector extend a $3.8 trillion rout, the strategy has resulted in annualized returns of as much as 190%.

The firm’s new iShares fund comes amid massive outflows from the sector in recent periods.

These emotional topics tend to be bad for investment returns, Barry Ritholtz says.

Treasury yields have fallen in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, making defensive sector holdings more attractive.

The firm plans to expand access to its line of low-cost funds to roughly 1,800, including those from BlackRock, Schwab and SSgA.

Although investors think the 10-year Treasury yield will easily reach 3.5%, analysts warn “there might be a few blips on the way.”

The funds, which account for roughly 1% of the $3.5 trillion of assets in ETPs, “pose real risks to American families.”

If approved, the funds will exclude investments in alcohol, tobacco, weapons, fossil fuels and nuclear power.

The framework targets so-called plain vanilla funds, yet leaves in place a more laborious path for firms wishing to list complex products.

The only other fund of its kind has $269 million in assets, a figure that’s ballooned roughly 1,700% this year.

Volatility has returned in 2018, while easy stock gains have vanished.

An ETF expert suggests active management is the key to success in the current environment.

At least $20 trillion of new financial wealth will be created over the next five years.

The side effect of index reconstitution is well documented.

In light of recent losses, risk models will tell managers to cut their exposure to the factor, which could cause a systematic sell-off.

The bank has deviated from its guiding philosophy after making tactical sales of stocks perceived as being on the front lines of the tariff bombast.