Total exchange traded fund (ETF) assets in April grew to $461 billion, up 5%. The leader of all categories was international, rising to $8 billion. Trang Ho of Investor’s Business Daily reports growth funds outperformed value, and large-caps dominated the scene. Large-cap ETFs rose 4.2% for the month, up 5.3% year-to-date. Barclays still reigns as the force in ETF providing, with market share at 59%, offering the most ETF products, 131. PowerShares provides the second-largest number of products, 73, with 2.4% market share. There were 21 new ETFs launched in April.
The highest-returning sectors for ETFs in April were health care up 7.1%, information technology with 5.4% and energy up 5.2%. Year-to-date the top-returning sectors are utilities with a return of 12.9%, materials at 10.5%, and health care up 7.8%. Financial and consumer discretionary ETFs are the worst performers.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.