In 2018, we experienced many ups and downs. We began with the February volatility spike that resulted in the demise of the Velocity Daily Inverse Vix Short Term ETF (XIV) and the spring rally that brought the US markets to double digit returns going into October. The year ended with significant equity and oil declines while gold and treasuries finally rallied. The TETF.index team has reviewed how these tumultuous markets effected the ETF industry in 2018 by comparing the one-year change in key performance indicators (KPIs) we track on the industry.
Source: Toroso Security Master, see chart above for definitions.
Let’s start on a high note, ETFs experienced significant positive flows in 2018 as described by Eric Balchunas: