The actively managed exchange traded fund space only makes up a sliver of the overall fund industry, but with prominent money managers stepping up to the plate, active ETFs could gain wider recognition.
“While nascent today, we think active ETFs will grow,” Bob Deutsch, head of JPMorgan Asset Management’s new ETF business, said in a Financial Times article. “A couple of years ago, there were questions on a lot of people’s minds about active ETFs because it was an idea, and now there are a number of active ETFs in the marketplace and it is more than an idea.”
JPMorgan recently filed with the SEC to launch a passive global equity fund and plans on adding active ETFs. [JPMorgan Eyes ‘Smart-Beta’ Developed Global ETF]
“Our emphasis is on bringing our active capability to the market,” Deutsch added.
Fidelity Investments also launched a suite of sector ETFs last month, but the provider also filed with the SEC to launch active ETFs. [Fidelity Cleared to Launch Active ETFs: Report]
Additionally, Franklin Templeton came out with its first ETF, the actively managed Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (NYSEArca: FTSD) earlier this month. [Franklin Templeton Enters ETF Arena]
The fund providers, though, are holding back on active equity offerings, given current regulations that require daily disclosure rules and the potential for front-running the ETFs. Chuck Freadhoff, a spokesman for American Funds, points to transparency requirements as a major hurdle to their own active ETF line.