As part of a wide ranging 2020 industry trend outlook, a survey of US asset managers and asset owners conducted by State Street Corporation predicts continued prevalence of digital assets as well as a bigger role in the industry for semi-transparent active ETFs.

Foreside Financial Group (Foreside), a provider of regulatory and compliance service and technology offerings to clients in the global asset and wealth management industry, is to acquire US Bancorp’s mutual fund and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) distribution business, Quasar Distributors.

Independent research provider CFRA has acquired First Bridge Data (First Bridge), a source for global ETF data and analytics.

Virtu Financial and MarketAxess Holdings, two global specialists in electronic trading, have formed a partnership to provide institutions with enhanced trading tools and access to global exchange traded funds (ETFs) and fixed income securities. 

Amun AG, a Swiss fintech aiming to facilitate access to crypto-asset investments, has completed its first funding round, bringing on board a number of experienced industry figures including Adam Draper, Founder of Boost VC, Graham Tuckwell, Founder of ETFS Capital, Greg Kidd, Co-Founder Hard Yaka, as well as four family offices.

European institutions increased their allocations to ETFs by 50 per cent in 2018, according to the latest Greenwich Associates European ETF Study.

Ryan Hughes, head of active portfolios at IFA platform provider AJ Bell, comments on the Investment Association’s consultation on the inclusion of ETFs into sectors… 

The Investment Association, the association representing investment managers in the UK, has opened a consultation on including ETFs in the IA fund sectors.

EY’s sixth ETF Research market study reveals that 92 per cent of the respondents interviewed predict more promoters will enter the market over the next two years. 

Gender equality research firm Equileap has licensed its 12 key performance indicators to As You Sow, which is launching a tool screening the specific holdings of nearly 5,000 US-based mutual funds and ETFs.