Nearly 1,000 Active ETFs Launched Last Year. Only About 150 Folded

Core Insights - Active management is a significant growth driver in the ETF market, with nearly 1,000 active ETFs launched in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 584 in 2024 [2] - Despite the launch of 146 active ETFs shutting down, asset managers remain optimistic about continued investor demand and advisor adoption of active products [2] - Active ETFs accounted for approximately one-third of new money invested in ETFs last year, indicating a shift in advisor preferences [3] ETF Market Dynamics - Active ETFs attracted around $475 billion in inflows in 2025, with six firms—JPMorgan, Capital Group, Dimensional, iShares, American Century, and Fidelity—receiving about half of these inflows [3] - The trend of increasing inflows suggests that advisors are becoming more comfortable recommending active ETFs to clients [4] - The most active issuers in the market included GraniteShares, Themes ETF Trust, and Defiance, launching 71, 63, and 59 active ETFs respectively [5] Product Trends - Short-term, trading-oriented funds were the most popular, with over 340 launches last year, focusing on buffer strategies and niche areas [5] - In contrast, only 150 passive ETFs were launched in the same period, highlighting a shift towards active management strategies [5] - Some active ETFs experienced short lifespans, folding shortly after launch, indicating a trial-and-error approach among some issuers [4]