Actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer investors an alternative to the traditional passively managed ETFs that track indexes. While the concept of "actively managed" might initially seem contradictory to the idea of ETFs, these investment vehicles have gained popularity and have shown potential for success. Let's explore what actively managed ETFs are and how they work.

Understanding Actively Managed ETFs Traditionally, ETFs were designed to passively track indexes, providing investors with broad market exposure and low costs. However, as the ETF industry has evolved, there has been a growing demand for actively managed strategies within the ETF structure. Actively managed ETFs employ a team of analysts and fund managers who actively make investment decisions to generate returns above a benchmark.

Key Characteristics of Actively Managed ETFs

1. Active Investment Decisions: Unlike passive ETFs that aim to replicate the performance of an index, actively managed ETFs rely on research, analysis, and investment expertise to identify securities that may outperform the market. This active decision-making process distinguishes them from their passive counterparts.

2. Expense Ratios: Actively managed ETFs typically have higher expense ratios compared to passive ETFs. The additional expenses arise from the costs associated with maintaining a team of analysts and fund managers who actively manage the portfolio. However, advancements in technology and increased competition have led to a decline in expense ratios for some actively managed ETFs.

3. Intraday Trading: One of the notable features of ETFs is their ability to trade intraday on an exchange, similar to stocks. This allows investors to take advantage of short-term market shifts and make trades throughout the trading day. In contrast, traditional mutual funds are priced and traded only at the end of the trading day.

Benefits and Considerations

1. Potential for Alpha: Actively managed ETFs aim to generate alpha, which refers to returns above the benchmark. The active management approach allows fund managers to exploit investment opportunities, adjust portfolio allocations, and react to market conditions in real-time. The potential for generating excess returns attracts investors seeking to outperform the market.

2. Lower Expense Ratios: While actively managed mutual funds typically have higher expense ratios, actively managed ETFs often offer lower expense ratios compared to their mutual fund counterparts. The ETF structure allows for operational efficiencies and cost savings, which can be passed on to investors.

3. Transparency and Liquidity: Actively managed ETFs, like all ETFs, provide transparency in terms of holdings. Investors can easily track the underlying securities within the portfolio. Additionally, the intraday trading feature of ETFs offers liquidity, allowing investors to buy or sell shares throughout the trading day at market prices.

4. Long-Term Performance: It's important to note that over the long term, passively managed ETFs have often outperformed actively managed ETFs. This is due to the challenges associated with consistently outperforming the market, as well as the impact of fees and expenses on net returns. Investors should carefully evaluate the track record and strategy of an actively managed ETF before investing.

Actively managed ETFs have emerged as an alternative investment option for investors seeking actively managed strategies within the ETF structure. While the majority of ETFs remain passively managed, the growth of actively managed ETFs reflects investor demand for greater control and potential outperformance. Investors considering actively managed ETFs should assess the fund's investment strategy, expense ratios, historical performance, and alignment with their investment objectives. As with any investment, thorough research and due diligence are essential before making investment decisions.

Summary
At their conception, ETFs only tracked indexes, but today there is also demand for actively-managed ETFs.

ETFs tend to look a lot like passive index mutual funds, except that they can trade intra-day like stocks, while mutual funds only settle within 24 hours. In the last decade or so, there has been an increasing market for actively-managed ETFs as well.

It is somewhat ironic that the popularity of actively-managed mutual funds has decreased while an abundance of actively-managed ETFs has appeared. The popularity of ETFs has grown enough for fund managers to attempt more and more things.

A passively-managed ETF will have lower expenses and will use algorithms to track indexes or follow specific index-oriented strategies. Actively-managed ETFs employ a larger staff of analysts and fund managers who seek to generate “alpha,” or returns over and above a benchmark.

Passive funds only seek to replicate the benchmark. With greater anticipated returns come greater management fees and expenses, however, and some ETFs now charge as much or more than actively managed mutual funds.

What is Index Investing?
What is Active Trading?
What is the Difference Between Active and Passive Money Management?