The ETF ‘graveyard’: what happens when funds liquidate?

Article Excerpt

The ETF “graveyard” is full of well-intentioned funds that were liquidated by their promoters mostly because they failed to reach or maintain a profitable asset size. During 2017, 104 Canadian ETFs were liquidated— about 16% of all exchange-traded funds in this country. Liquidations normally follow an orderly process: First, an ETF promoter notifies investors around 30 days before a fund is to be liquidated. The ETF will continue to trade as normal during this period. The liquidation formally starts after the final trading day. Investors will only receive a cash amount—close to thefinal trading net asset value—once the liquidation is completed. In general, investors should sell their ETF units as soon as they receive a liquidation notice. Otherwise, they may wait considerably longer for a liquidation payout to arrive. Even better, of course, would be to avoid any new ETF that has a small or rapidly shrinking asset base. They’re most at risk for liquidation. liquidation…