Some Issuers Get Selective About New ETF Launches

There are more than 7,500 U.S. open-end mutual funds, MarketWatch reports, citing Morningstar data, implying there is room for the U.S. ETF industry to grow from the current area of about 1,700 products.

One thing is clear: Different issuers are taking different approaches to new ETFs. For example, Vanguard, the third-largest U.S. ETF issuer, did not bring a new ETF to market in 2014 but still managed to add $75.3 billion in new ETF assets, a total surpassed only by iShares. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania-based Vanguard said it expects to launch its first municipal bond ETF early in the second quarter.

First Trust, one of the fastest-growing U.S. ETF sponsors, launched 15 new products last year, including FV.

iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF