What is an active ETF?

Actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) go beyond replicating a benchmark index. So how do managers of active ETFs decide which investments to go for? How do they make choices such as the addition of ESG considerations to their selection criteria?

Watch our video for more on these investment strategies which can generate alpha for investors or help them meet their sustainable investment goals

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What is an active ETF?

Since 2015, regulatory changes and new technologies have paved the way for the creation of actively-managed ETFs.

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Have you heard about them? Unlike traditional passively-managed ETFs which replicate the performance of a specific index or benchmark, active ETFs seek to outperform a benchmark or achieve a specific investment objective through active investment decisions.

An actively-managed ETF is built and managed by an investment team who decide which assets it holds.

This differs from a traditional index or passive investment strategy which simply replicates what’s held in the index.Both active and passive ETFs provide daily transparency of holdings.

However, active ETFs offer you the potential for higher returns at a higher price, as they draw upon the expertise of portfolio managers.

Active ETFs are based on either fundamental financial analysis or sustainable research focused on extra-financial criteria such as the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

Why would you choose active ETFs?

They are designed for investors with precise goals such as potential alpha generation or a sustainable investment objectives while benefiting from the liquidity and cost efficiency of the ETF structure. As a result, the active ETF market has grown fast in recent years and is expected to continue to evolve.

Important information

Please note that articles may contain technical language. For this reason, they may not be suitable for readers without professional investment experience. Any views expressed here are those of the author as of the date of publication, are based on available information, and are subject to change without notice. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and may take different investment decisions for different clients. This document does not constitute investment advice. The value of investments and the income they generate may go down as well as up and it is possible that investors will not recover their initial outlay. Past performance is no guarantee for future returns. Investing in emerging markets, or specialised or restricted sectors is likely to be subject to a higher-than-average volatility due to a high degree of concentration, greater uncertainty because less information is available, there is less liquidity or due to greater sensitivity to changes in market conditions (social, political and economic conditions). Some emerging markets offer less security than the majority of international developed markets. For this reason, services for portfolio transactions, liquidation and conservation on behalf of funds invested in emerging markets may carry greater risk.

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