Low-volatility exchange traded funds managed to gain $4.6 billion in new inflows last year and are showing no sign of slowing down. Stock market volatility has been lower in recent months, but investors are still weary and ready for any market uncertainty as the sequestration deadline looms.
“The effects of the 2008 and 2009 time period are still ringing through to investors’ perception of historical returns and future returns,” David Mazza, head of ETF investment strategy for the Americas at SSGA, said in a recent Ignites.com report. [PowerShares to List Small-and Mid-Cap low-Volatility ETFs]
“We see clients are increasingly interested in the upside participation that comes with investing in equities but also have an eye on downside protection. So they are looking for and embracing a return pattern that has less volatility,” he adds. [Low Volatility ETFs are the New Black]
ETF sponsors are well aware of the popularity that low-volatility products are experiencing. For example, both PowerShares and State Street Global Advisors have rolled out new low volatility ETFs that join existing line-ups. The growth opportunity that these stocks give clients are risk-adjusted, so those who have low tolerance can sleep at night should the market swing. [Where to Find Yield in ETFs with Less Risk]
The upside of low volatility stocks is that investors still get to gain from any potential run-up. The downside protection is what investors are after, whether it is in their heads or in the markets. [Low Volatility ETFs: Small and Mid-Cap Funds on Tap]