Deborah Fuhr is one of the most well-known analysts tracking the global exchange traded fund (ETF) market.
As of Sept. 15, she will move to Barclays Global Investors to be the head of ETF research and implementation.
Eric Rosenbaum for Index Universe got a chance to talk with Fuhr and got a glimpse into the inner workings of what is going on within the move, and the industry.
To begin, Fuhr is remaining in London as her base, which works better for time zones on other continents, and also ties in with working outside the United States in the global ETF market. Private placement exemptions outside the United States will allow her greater flexibility to speak about certain ETF products, covering many products in many markets.
When asked about a convergence or divergence among ETF products on a global platform, Fuhr believes there is a convergence, as many products are able to remain similar across may markets. From a regulatory and tax perspective, there are different aspects and counterparty exposure is different as well. Clarity and education are the focus right now.
Which brings us to her new position at BGI. Her goal is to cut through all the haze and blur and define the exchange traded products with understandable definitions and separate the closed-end funds from the HOLDRs from the ETNs, and not lump them together anymore.
The most exciting part about breaking away from the proprietary brokerage firm model is that whatever she produces, she can share with other financial advisors and brokers.
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.