Active ETFs face key challenges

Article Excerpt

Actively managed exchange-traded funds are very similar to actively managed mutual funds. In both cases, the portfolio managers strive to beat their benchmarks. However, whether they aim to use fundamental research, or computer driven analysis, actively managed mutual funds have struggled over the past decade to beat their benchmarks. Data from the U.S. indicates that 88.4% of all actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds have under-performed over the past decade. Managers of mid or small-cap funds, fared a little better—still, 75% did not succeed in beating their benchmarks. One major challenge for active managers of mutual funds is their higher fees constantly detract from the performance of their funds. Active ETFs generally carry a much lower fee load than similar mutual funds. That provides ETF managers with less of a performance burden. Active ETFs have several advantages over mutual funds, including ease of trading, intraday liquidity, tax efficiency, and lower fees. However, the challenge for active ETF managers remains: to add value over…