As of January 31, 2018. Source: Morningstar Direct.
ETF Ownership and launches information sourced to Toroso Investments Research tools, as of February 9, 2018.
INDEX PERFORMANCE DATA
| 02/09/2018 | 1 Wk | 1 Mo | 3 Mo | 6 Mo | 1 Yr | QTD | YTD | Since Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toroso ETF Industry Index | (2.38%) | (0.68%) | 9.90% | 17.81% | 2.68% | 2.68% | 29.34% | |
| S&P Financial Select Sector Index | (5.78%) | (3.16%) | 6.38% | 10.51% | 18.80% | (0.85%) | (0.85%) | 18.16% |
Returns as of February 9, 2018.
Inception Date: April 4, 2017. Index performance is for informational purposes only and does not represent the ETF. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.
VOLATILITY’S REVENGE
Last week, we discussed how ETF flows have historically responded to market downturns. That said, we did not anticipate the drawdown to return so violently, nor did we expect Volatility ETPs to be at the center of this sell off. This week, as requested by some ETF Think Tank members, we provide a more granular review of ETF flows post sell offs, and then a deep dive into what happened with Volatility ETPs.
In the last TETFindex update, we showed the flows of all US ETFs in the 3 months following any 6% monthly drop in the S&P 500. This prompted some ETF Think Tank members to ask which asset classes received those flows.
ETF FLOWS BY ASSET CLASS AFTER A DRAWDOWN
As of January 31, 2018. Source: Morningstar Direct.
ETF Ownership and launches information sourced to Toroso Investments Research tools, as of February 9, 2018.
NOW ONTO VOLATILITY ETPs
As of 2-9-18, Volatility ETPs represent $4.05 billion of ETF assets down from $5.98 billion a week earlier. They represent a small but lucrative component of the ETF ecosystem. On Monday 2-5-18, two inverse volatility ETPs, for lack of better words, imploded. Toroso would like to share some of our thoughts on the headlines that have ensued and dispel some myths in the process.
#1- THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!!!
FALSE
In 2011, an extremely similar ETN, iPath® Inverse S&P 500 VIX Short-Term FuturesTM ETN (IVO) was closed under extremely similar circumstances. So history has repeated, but the assets are substantially higher this time around.
#2- THIS IS A BLACK EYE FOR ETFS!!!
FALSE
The products traded orderly and did exactly what was described in the prospectus. Bloomberg has provided research contradicting the claims that this is an ETF issue.
#3- THIS WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE, THAT NO ONE SAW COMING!!!
FALSE
The prospectus for all these products describe in bolded black and white the possibility and circumstances that could lead to the early termination of these products. Additionally, most custodians require investors to acknowledge this risk before allowing investors to trade them. In 2015 we wrote a piece on ETF.com describing the use of XIV as “picking up dollars in front of a steamroller”, so we urged consistent profit harvesting and proper position sizing.
#4- THIS HAPPENED AFTER MARKET HOURS!!!
PARTIALLY FALSE
The collapse in underlying value of these products did occur after 4 pm when ETF trading ended. That said, VIX Futures trade until 4:15, during that 15-minute window the Futures traded at extraordinary levels forcing the collapse. It is possible that a Hedge Fund facilitated the exacerbated pricing for profit. It’s our belief that in the end, it will be a hedge fund or some bank proprietary trading desk with the black eye. That said, these after-hours moves could happen with any asset (international stocks, commodities, currencies) that trade when US-listed ETFs are not trading.
LETS END WITH A TONGUE TWISTER
Despite the volatility and the volatility of volatility of volatility ETPs, we believe ETFs will continue to grow and TETFindex (Click here for more information on the ETF following this index) is the way to track that growth. And remember, volatility is normal; complacency is the anomaly.
ETF LAUNCHES
| Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF | FLAX |
| Franklin FTSE India ETF | FLIN |
| Franklin FTSE Russia ETF | FLRU |
| Franklin FTSE Switzerland ETF | FLSW |
ETF LAUNCH OF THE WEEK: Franklin FTSE India ETF (FLIN)
There are limited low-cost options in this space so it is good to see a new ETF focusing on India.
TETF INDEX PERFORMANCE VS LEADING FINANCIAL INDEXES
As of January 31, 2018. Source: Morningstar Direct.
ETF Ownership and launches information sourced to Toroso Investments Research tools, as of February 9, 2018.
As of February 9, 2018. Source: Morningstar Direct.
