INDEX PERFORMANCE DATA
| 1/26/2018 | 1 Wk | 1 Mo | 3 Mo | 6 Mo | 1 Yr | QTD | YTD | Since Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toroso ETF Industry Index | 0.98% | 8.73% | 15.77% | 22.60% | 8.49% | 8.49% | 36.65% | |
| S&P Financial Select Sector Index | 2.19% | 7.96% | 13.17% | 21.70% | 29.46% | 8.14% | 8.14% | 28.87% |
FEAR AND LOATHING IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
Last week, the Toroso Team attended the #InsideETFs conference with 2400 other ETF ecosystem members to learn, research, and celebrate the growth of ETFs. Serena Williams, Quincy Jones, The Daily Show, thousands of new faces, and an ETF ice-cream truck were some of the more interesting surprises.
We also met many staples like Dave Nadig, Tom Lydon, Eric Balchunas, Christian Magoon, Phil Bak, Nate Geraci, Jan Van Eck, Bruno Del Ama, Jim Wiadnt, Michael Krause, Arlene Reyes, Herb Blank, Wes Gray, Dan Weiskopf, Trevor Hunnicut, Sarah Ponczek, Travis Briggs, Bill Carey, Chuck Martin, Bill DeRoche ,Sylvia Jablonsky, Rob D. Williams, Arthur Cherches, Larry Medin, Tony Wenzel, Ethan Powell, Bryce Tillery, Tom Hardin, Kevin Carter and a whole host of other familiar ETF Nerds.
The fear and loathing connects to somber feeling for the hedge fund industry as depicted in this slide from Bloomberg:
These assets are at risk of being democratized, but Hedge Fund losses are likely an ETF gain due to the client alignment growth factors we have covered in previous TETFindex updates.
There was also some politically charged ETFs like MAGA, MJX, DEMS, GOP and TAXR which were discussed in many panels.
The first panel was especially strange for us due the role reversal.
Our PR agent Chris Sullivan kicked off the discussion of ETFs in the media while we observed and encouraged him from the audience. He did manage to plug us at least once, which we appreciate.
Bitcoin ETFs, as usual, were a hot topic, but seem far away at this point. This led, in turn, to Blockchain ETFs. Currently, there are three, none of which were permitted to use Blockchain in the name:
| TICKER | NAME | AUM | # OF HOLDINGS | ACTIVE OR PASSIVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLOK | Amplify Transformational Data Shrg ETF | $174,714,888 | 49 | Active |
| BLCN | Reality Shares Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF | $87,369,324 | 62 | Passive |
| LEGR | First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF | $3,040,644 | 67 | Passive |
Toroso is the active subadvisor of BLOK.
In addition, we used #InsideETFs to launch our ETF Think Tank. This aims to be a community for Advisors and users of ETFs to access unique ETF research software, communicate with other ETF allocators, utilize our curated library of ETF research, and connect with innovative ETF issuers.
To learn more about joining the ETF Think Tank for free, contact Oscar Biondolillo at obiondolillo@torosoinv.com (and you will receive a free ETF Nerd pin, too).
One of the final presentations on the growth of the emerging market internet and consumer included a very clear challenge with a $10,000 prize.
In short, Kevin Carter, the founder of EMQQ, is offering the prize to anyone that can find a subset of securities that have had greater growth potential than EMQQ.
Obviously, there are some stipulations so contact us or Kevin Carter to learn more.
Another new surprise this year was how the ecosystem has grown. TETFindex includes ETF Sponsors, Index Providers, Exchanges, Liquidity Firms, and ETF services providers. All were represented at the conference, but this year we saw some new booths that are more tangential to the industry, such as JobsinETFs, focused on career placement and a booth for a company that makes customized gift baskets for clients.
SO THE 13 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- ETFs are growing.
- Smart Beta has become mainstream.
- Themes are hot, even State street is in, through a fabulous partnership with Kensho.
- A Bitcoin ETF is a long way away.
- Marijuana ETFs are hot topic, but not without controversy.
- Low cost Traditional Beta is still the juggernaut of growth.
- 3 Blockchain ETFs, only one is Active.
- Everybody loves Robots.
- ETFs are becoming more relevant outside of the US.
- ETFthinktank.com is live, so come check it out!
- Hedge funds are at risk from ETF cannibalization.
- #InsideETFs was trending on Twitter.
- ETFs are GROWING, and the TETFindex is the way to follow that growth.
ETF LAUNCHES
| BMO REX MicroS FANG In3X Inverse Lev ETN | FNGD | 1/23/2018 |
| BMO REX MicroS FANG In3X Lev ETN | FNGU | 1/23/2018 |
| GraniteShares Platinum Trust | PLTM | 1/22/2018 |
ETF LAUNCH OF THE WEEK
FNGD, for those of you who want to take a contrarian position on one of the hottest trades, our friends at REX launched a leveraged ETF to short FANG stocks.
TETF INDEX PERFORMANCE Vs. LEADING FINANCIAL INDEXES
TETF INDEX UNDERLYING TOP/BOTTOM 10 HOLDINGS PERFORMANCE
