Hosts Dave Nadig, President and Director of Research at ETF.com as well as Sumit Roy, Senior ETF Analyst at ETF.com, are joined by industry experts to cover the latest and greatest happenings in ETFs. This week's episode features Mike Akins, Founding Partner of ETF Action; Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence; and Todd Sohn, Senior ETF & Technical Strategist at Strategas Securities. In this episode of the ETF Zoo, the panel discusses the latest trends in the ETF market, including s ...

It’s a good day to be a buffer. Last week, Goldman Sachs announced plans to acquire defined-outcome ETF provider Innovator Capital Management in a deal worth $2 billion. The move will catapult Goldman from an early-stage defined-outcome issuer, having launched its first buffer products in 2023, to the second-largest player. As new product providers continue to spring up — some 50 ETF brands could launch this year, according to VettaFi investment strategist Cinthia Murphy — issuer consolidation is expected ...

Core Insights - Actively managed ETFs, especially in the fixed income category, are experiencing rapid growth in the ETF market [1] - This growth is driven by advisors shifting from higher-fee mutual funds to ETFs and the conversion of popular mutual funds into ETF structures [1]

Core Insights - The emergence of ETFs, particularly in the fixed income sector, has revitalized active management strategies, with the Neuberger Berman Total Return Bond ETF (NBTR) being a notable example [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Market Dynamics - Fixed income ETFs are democratizing market access, allowing investors to engage with diversified bond portfolios through a single, tradable instrument, thus enabling smaller portfolios to participate in markets previously dominated by large institutions [3]. - NBTR aims to outperform the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, providing a potential alternative for investors seeking higher income streams compared to traditional passive bond funds [2]. Group 2: NBTR's Competitive Edge - Unlike many legacy passive ETFs that focus heavily on Treasuries and U.S. government agency debt, NBTR employs active management to identify sector-level credit and duration opportunities, enhancing its appeal to investors [4][5]. - The fund's duration flexibility is particularly relevant following recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which may lead to further reductions and potential gains for longer-dated bonds [5]. Group 3: Cost Efficiency and Trading Advantages - NBTR offers significant advantages over traditional mutual funds, including the ability to trade throughout the day without incurring substantial transaction costs, which is especially beneficial during market volatility [6]. - With an annual expense ratio of 0.37%, NBTR presents a cost-effective option compared to many competing mutual funds, and bond ETFs generally feature tighter spreads, reducing the total cost of ownership [6].

Core Insights - Northern Trust Corporation reported a net income of $421 million for Q2 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) of $2.13, reflecting a 20% increase excluding prior-year notables [4][40] - The company raised its return on average common equity (ROE) target to a range of 13%-15% from the previous 10%-15% [5][11] - Total revenue increased by 8% year over year, with favorable currency movements contributing approximately 90 basis points to revenue growth compared to the prior year [5][41] Financial Performance - Net interest income reached a record $615 million, up 7% sequentially and 16% year over year, although $10 million of this was attributed to nonrecurring FX swap activity [8][13] - Total expenses rose by 4.8% year over year, marking the lowest expense growth rate in the past six quarters when excluding notable items [6][52] - The asset servicing pretax margin increased over 10 points to 23.2%, with a 29% increase in pretax profit when excluding prior-year notables [6][47] Shareholder Returns - The company returned $486 million to shareholders, with a payout ratio of 117% and a board-approved 7% increase in the quarterly dividend [7][53] - Average deposits were $122 billion, up 6% sequentially, with interest-bearing deposits increasing by 7% [8][51] Growth Initiatives - The company reported approximately $2.5 billion raised in alternatives in the first half of 2025, with an additional $1 billion in advisory, reflecting a 66% year-over-year increase in alternatives advisory assets under advisement [9][25] - Northern Trust plans to launch 11 new fixed income ETFs in Q3 2025 to meet client demand for scalable exposures [10][31] - The firm is investing in new talent and leadership within Wealth Management to strengthen client coverage and accelerate new business generation [14][29] Strategic Focus - The "One Northern Trust" strategy emphasizes integration and momentum across its business segments, particularly in alternatives [11][20] - The company aims to centralize and automate core operational processes, leveraging AI and public blockchains to enhance client experience and internal productivity [16][22] - Management reaffirmed the company's commitment to independence, stating they have never entertained discussions regarding a sale [12][39]