While the exchange traded fund industry is dominated by passive index-based options, the smaller actively managed ETF segment continues to gain assets and expand investment offerings.
According to AdvisorShares data, there were 122 actively managed U.S.-listed ETF on the market with $18.39 billion in assets under management as of the end of November. The active ETF spaced added 4 new strategies and gathered $9889 million in assets over November.
The Cambria Global Momentum ETF (NYSEArca: GMOM), First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (NasdaqGM: FEMB), First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF (NasdaqGM: LMBS) and PowerShares DB Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy Portfolio (NasdaqGM: PDBC) were launched last month.
PIMCO remains the largest player in the active space with $6.7 billion in assets under management, representing 36.2% of the active ETF market share, followed by First Trust with $3.3 billion, WisdomTree with $1.8 billion, AdvisorShares with $1.5 billion and WBI Shares with $1.2 billion. AdvisorShares with 26 funds still leads with the most diversified selection of active ETF options.
First Trust has been quickly gaining traction in the active ETF space, bringing in over $1 billion in assets in November. Meanwhile, PIMCO continued to lose assets as investors yanked $300 million from the fund provider in the wake of Bill Gross’ switch to Janus.