ETF TV

Ketaki Garg, Executive Director, APAC Head of Quantitative Index Research Solutions at MSCI, joins Deborah Fuhr and Margareta Hricova to discuss how ETF Connect continues to reshape cross-border investing, providing mainland Chinese investors with greater access to international markets and diversified investment opportunities, according to insights shared by Ketaki Garg, Executive Director and Head of Equity and Multi-Asset Research, Asia Pacific at MSCI, during a recent ETF TV interview.Garg noted that investor demand across Asia Pacific is increasingly focused on income generation, climate-aware investing, thematic exposures, and managing concentration risk. While high-dividend strategies remain popular, investors are seeking new approaches to enhance income and yield. Interest is also growing in themes such as artificial intelligence, electrification, and the commodity supercycle.Since its launch in 2022, ETF Connect has experienced significant growth, particularly through the Southbound channel, reflecting strong demand from mainland Chinese investors. A notable trend has been the increasing availability of ETFs providing exposure to overseas equity markets, including U.S. equities, highlighting investors’ desire for greater global diversification.The discussion also examined the development of MSCI’s ETF Connect Index Suite, which balances regulatory requirements, diversification rules, and investor demand for differentiated exposures. Looking ahead, MSCI is exploring next-generation ETF Connect indices that may combine different sector, factor, and thematic exposures across Hong Kong and international markets while remaining compliant with ETF Connect requirements.“ETF Connect has become an increasingly important gateway for mainland investors seeking access to global investment opportunities,” said Garg. “As the market evolves, innovation will increasingly come from differentiated exposures and more sophisticated portfolio construction.”The interview highlighted ETF Connect’s growing role in expanding investment choice, facilitating cross-border capital flows, and supporting the continued development of Asia Pacific’s ETF ecosystem.About ETF TVETF TV provides insights, interviews and analysis on the global ETF industry, featuring leading voices from across asset management, regulation and capital markets.You can watch this episode and previous episodes on ETF TV and YouTube. ETF TV is your insight into the world of exchange-traded funds, issuers and investment. Register to receive updates and watch prior episodes at www.ETFtv.net and make sure to follow us on LinkedIn – ETF TV company page and ETFs Network group.

During an interview with ETF TV host Deborah Fuhr at the  ICI ETF Conference in Nashville, ICI President and CEO Eric Pan called for reforms to the taxation of U.S. mutual funds and defended the tax efficiency of ETFs.Pan highlighted that mutual fund investors can receive annual capital gains tax bills even when they have not sold their investments, while ETF investors generally defer taxes until they sell their holdings. He argued that the current mutual fund tax treatment can discourage long-term saving and investing.Pan expressed support for the proposed Growth Act, legislation that would modernize mutual fund taxation, while acknowledging the challenges of advancing tax reform amid federal budget concerns.He also pushed back against proposals to alter ETF taxation, emphasizing that ETF investors are not avoiding taxes but simply paying them when gains are realized.“Tax policy should encourage Americans to invest and save for the future, not penalize them for doing so,” Pan said.Pan concluded by stressing the importance of investor education and advocacy, noting that many investors remain unaware of the potential impact tax policy changes could have on their long-term savings and investment outcomes.Key Takeaways:ICI supports reforms to modernize mutual fund taxation.ETFs continue to provide tax-efficient exposure for investors.ICI opposes proposals that would reduce ETF tax advantages.Investor education will be critical as tax policy debates continue in Washington.Encouraging long-term investing remains a key public policy objective.About ETF TVETF TV provides insights, interviews and analysis on the global ETF industry, featuring leading voices from across asset management, regulation & capital markets.You can watch this episode and previous episodes on ETF TV and YouTube. You can also listen to this and previous ETF TV episodes as podcasts on:⁠ETF TV⁠ is your insight into the world of exchange-traded funds, issuers and investment. Register to receive updates & watch prior episodes at ⁠www.ETFtv.net⁠ and make sure to follow us on LinkedIn – ⁠ETF TV⁠ company page & ⁠ETFs Network⁠ group

Speaking at the Investment Company Institute (ICI) 2nd Annual ETF Conference in Nashville, Shelly Antoniewicz, Chief Economist at the Investment Company Institute, shared key insights on the continued growth and evolving use of exchange traded funds among US retail investors in an interview with Deborah Fuhr of ETFGI for ETF TV.The conference attracted a large audience of industry participants and highlighted the increasing importance of ETFs in portfolio construction across both institutional and retail segments.Retail ETF adoption continues to expandAntoniewicz noted that 20 million US households now own ETFs, representing approximately 15% of all US households. This marks a significant increase from 2010, when only 3 million households (3%) held ETFs, underlining a sustained trend of rising adoption.“While adoption is not yet universal, the growth over the past 15 years has been substantial,” said Antoniewicz.Broad demographic appeal across age groupsContrary to common perceptions, ETF ownership in the US spans a broad demographic base:·       The median age of ETF investors is 51·       15% of ETF investors are under 35·       14% are aged 65 and above·       Ownership is broadly distributed across age brackets“This data highlights that ETFs are being adopted across generations, not just by a single demographic group,” Antoniewicz explained.Key drivers: cost, diversification and flexibilityAccording to ICI research, the primary drivers behind retail ETF adoption include:·       Cost efficiency·       Diversification benefits·       Intraday trading flexibilityInvestors value the ability to trade ETFs throughout the day, even if they do not actively trade, as well as the wide range of exposures available for portfolio construction.Growing role of ETFs in retirement portfoliosETFs are increasingly being used as part of long-term savings strategies:·       60% of ETF-owning households hold ETFs within IRAsThis trend highlights the growing role of ETFs as core building blocks for retirement investing in the US.Education remains a key barrier to entryDespite the strong growth, Antoniewicz identified financial literacy and understanding of ETF trading mechanics as a barrier, particularly for newer & younger investors.Key challenges include:·       Understanding liquidity·       Navigating bid-ask spreads·       Using appropriate order typesWhile educational resources & digital platforms are helping address these gaps, trust in information sources—particularly online communities & social forums—remains critical.Outlook: younger investors to drive future growthLooking ahead over the next three to five years, Antoniewicz emphasised that millennials and Gen Z investors will be the primary drivers of ETF growth:·       Millennials already represent approximately one-third of ETF-owning households·       As these cohorts enter their peak earning years, ETF usage is expected to increase significantly·       Financial advisors continue to expand ETF usage, with ETF allocations rising to about 50% of client assets among fee-based advisers, up from 17% a decade agoIn addition, intergenerational wealth transfer is expected to reinforce ETF adoption, as younger investors are likely to allocate inherited assets into familiar ETF products.ConclusionThe interview underscores the continued evolution of ETFs from a niche investment vehicle to a mainstream solution for retail investors, supported by strong structural drivers including cost efficiency, portfolio versatility, & increasing advisor adoption.About ETF TVETF TV provides insights, interviews and analysis on the global ETF industry, featuring leading voices from across asset management, regulation & capital markets.ETF TV is your insight into the world of exchange-traded funds, issuers and investment. Register to receive updates & watch prior episodes at www.ETFtv.net and make sure to follow us on LinkedIn – ETF TV company page & ETFs Network group

In this second instalment of ETF TV’s in-depth interview series, Frank Koudelka, Senior Vice President, ETF Product Solutions at State Street, joins Deborah Fuhr and Margareta Hricova to explore the forces shaping the global evolution of exchange-traded funds—and what lies ahead for the industry.The conversation highlights how ETFs have demonstrated resilience across multiple periods of market volatility, supported by their structural advantages, including transparency, liquidity, and intraday tradability. These characteristics have enabled investors to respond dynamically to changing market conditions and reinforce ETFs as a core portfolio building block.A central theme throughout the discussion is the critical role of regulation in accelerating ETF adoption globally. Koudelka points to reforms such as the elimination of retrocessions and enhanced fee transparency—across markets including Australia, Canada, and Europe—as catalysts that have driven investor demand toward ETFs. These regulatory shifts have reinforced the value proposition of ETFs by highlighting lower costs, transparency, and alignment with investor outcomes.Looking beyond the U.S., the interview underscores that while the U.S. remains the dominant ETF market, global success requires a far more nuanced, market-by-market approach. Europe and Asia present distinct regulatory frameworks, investor bases, and distribution channels, requiring issuers to tailor strategies to institutional versus retail demand and to navigate fragmented regulatory environments.Koudelka and Fuhr also examine emerging growth regions, identifying Latin America—where cross-border structures such as UCITS play a key role—and the Middle East, where rising wealth and increasing investor sophistication are expected to drive significant ETF adoption in the coming years.The discussion further explores how the ETF value chain is evolving, with innovation continuing to expand the use cases for ETFs. Active ETFs, income-generating strategies, downside protection, and access to private markets are reshaping the product landscape, while advances in digital infrastructure—such as tokenisation—have the potential to broaden distribution and, over time, fundamentally transform market structure. These trends are consistent with broader industry shifts toward innovation, digitalisation, and expanding asset class access within the ETF wrapper.Reflecting on his career, Koudelka emphasises a pivotal insight: the ETF should be viewed not as a passive product, but as a highly efficient delivery vehicle capable of supporting a wide range of investment strategies. This evolution is driving increased competition, greater investor choice, and continued industry growth.Looking ahead, the interview concludes with a clear message for the next generation of ETF leaders: remain nimble, embrace innovation, and avoid constraining ETFs within traditional definitions. As the industry continues to broaden its applications—from income solutions to alternative assets—ETFs are positioned to play an increasingly central role in global investment portfolios.Thank you, Frank for your contributions to the ETF industry.  Enjoy your retirement!This episode is essential viewing for ETF leaders, board members, and strategists.This is part one of a two part interview. 🎥Watch at www.ETFtv.netYou can watch this episode and prior episodes at: ETF TV and on YouTube.ETF TV is your insight into the world of exchange-traded funds, issuers and investment. Register to receive updates and watch prior episodes at www.ETFtv.net and make sure to follow us on LinkedIn – ETF TV company page and ETFs Network group.Disclaimer: ETF TV is a news update and is intended for informational purposes only. ETF TV does not provide investment advice nor recommend products.If you are interested in sponsoring, being a guest, or have any questions on ETF TV, please email [email protected].

 ETF TV, the premier source for insights into the global ETF industry, shares its latest episode featuring Frank Koudelka, Senior Vice President, ETF Product Solutions at State Street, in conversation with Margareta Hricova and Deborah Fuhr.In one of his final interviews ahead of retirement, Koudelka reflects on the key inflection points that reshaped ETFs—from the shift beyond “passive vs. active” to ETFs’ emergence as core market infrastructure and policy tools. The discussion offers candid insights into what senior executives still underestimate, including the importance of capital markets expertise, distribution opacity, and ETFs’ role in price discovery during periods of market stress.From regulatory change unlocking active ETFs to governments and central banks using ETFs for market stabilization.Equally striking is the discussion on what continues to be misunderstood—even by experienced asset managers entering the ETF space. Koudelka highlights two recurring blind spots: Capital markets expertise and distribution opacity.Unlike mutual funds, ETFs operate simultaneously in primary and secondary markets, making market quality, liquidity management, and data strategy mission‑critical rather than ancillary.This episode is essential viewing for ETF leaders, board members, and strategists.This is part one of a two part interview. 🎥Watch at www.ETFtv.netYou can watch this episode and prior episodes at: ETF TV and on YouTube.ETF TV is your insight into the world of exchange-traded funds, issuers and investment. Register to receive updates and watch prior episodes at www.ETFtv.net and make sure to follow us on LinkedIn – ETF TV company page and ETFs Network group.Register to attend one or more of our 6 annual regional in person ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summits  2026 events:7h Annual - Latin America, May 20th in Mexico City at BIVA Bolsa Institucional de Valores and May 21st virtual. Register now.7th Annual - Asia Pacific, September 9th in Hong Kong and September 10th virtual. Register now.7th Annual - United States, September 29th in New York City. Register now.7th Annual - Middle East & GCC, October 20th in Dubai. Register now.7th Annual - Europe & Africa, November 19th in London and November 20th virtual. Register now.8th Annual- Canada, December 8th in Toronto at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)'s office. Register now.🆓 Free Registration: For CFA members, buy-side institutional investors, and financial advisors.📚 CPD Credits: Earn educational credits.Disclaimer: ETF TV is a news update and is intended for informational purposes only. ETF TV does not provide investment advice nor recommend products.If you are interested in sponsoring, being a guest, or have any questions on ETF TV, please email [email protected]

Podcast with Deborah Fuhr on new listings in the past week with 21 new ETFs and ETPs listed globally.