Insights

2024 ETF Impact Survey

Gain new insight into the ETF market and what’s on the minds of investors, from State Street Global Advisors’ survey of US wealth managers and investors worldwide.

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Did you know? 68% of US financial advisors are optimistic about the global economy — but only 28% of advised investors share the sentiment.¹

We surveyed 1,000+ investors and 200 US wealth managers on their outlook, portfolio allocations, and the trends they predict will have the greatest impact in the future. What did they say? Find out.

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Advisor and Investor Sentiments Vary

US financial advisors are much more optimistic about the global economy than investors. 68% are optimistic about the global economic outlook — significantly higher than advised investors at 28%.

Why might this be?

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Advisors out of Sync With Client Concerns

Advisors underestimate their clients’ level of concern about 2024 election outcomes and geopolitical instability — and overestimate clients’ level of concern about interest rate fluctuations and recession risks. Inflation is the only economic driver that advisors and clients are similarly concerned about.

How do these concerns impact advisors’ strategic allocation recommendations?

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Advisors Predict Strong US Equity Performance

More than half of US advisors are bullish about S&P 500® returns in 2024; only 5% are bearish. And advisors who are bullish think the S&P 500 will be up 15%, on average.

With such strong predictions about S&P 500 performance, do advisors think the index is a good proxy for the US economy and benchmark for clients’ investments?

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ETF Adoption Continues to Climb

ETFs are gaining popularity among investors. And the fact that 70% of surveyed advisors heavily recommend ETFs (always or often) could be a reason why.

What are the top reasons advisors are recommending ETFs to their clients? Cost? Diversification? Liquidity? Or are there other reasons?

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Performance Is Top Criterion for ETF Recommenders

When recommending ETFs with the same or similar exposure, 25% of advisors say the best track record/performance is the most important decision criterion. 50% or more also rate lowest expense ratio and highest liquidity in the top three.

What other criteria did ETF recommenders rank as important?

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Heavy ETF Recommenders Report Higher Client Satisfaction

Significantly more heavy ETF recommenders* think their clients are satisfied with their portfolio performance than light ETF recommenders^ do.

And individual investor survey results support advisors’ beliefs about their clients’ satisfaction — surveyed investors who own ETFs say that ETFs improve their portfolio performance and help make them better investors.

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Unlock Even More Survey Insights

Our 2024 ETF Impact Survey Results reveal what’s on the minds of ETF investors globally — from individual investors to advisors and institutions — and is jam-packed with insights on:

1

Investor economic sentiment, globally and locally

2

Predictions about the US equity market’s performance

3

Key financial concerns and investment challenges

4

Primary economic concerns

5

Trends in current and planned portfolio construction

6

Decision criteria for advisors recommending ETFs

And much more! Dig into the survey findings today.

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Dive Deeper Into the Future of ETFs

ETF Impact Report 2024-2025: The Next Wave of Innovation

In addition to the survey results, explore how ETFs are shaping the future of investing in our latest report. Uncover top trends and predictions from our strategists.

Get the Report

About the Survey

State Street Global Advisors, in partnership with field partners A2Bplanning and Prodege, conducted an online study in April 2024 among individual investors, financial advisors, and institutional investors to assess investor sentiments, investment portfolio trends, the impact of ETFs on portfolio contruction, and more.

This survey further builds on research conducted with individual investors in November and December of 2022. For the 2024 ETF Impact Survey, State Street Global Advisors expanded the scope to include institutional investors from various countries, as well as US financial advisors.

Data was collected between April 1-25, 2024 from the following:

Individual Investors:

Financial Advisors:

Institutional Investors:

Footnotes

Important Risk Disclosures

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.

The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSGA's express written consent.

This communication is not intended to be an investment recommendation or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.

All information is from SSGA unless otherwise noted and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor.

All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.

The views expressed in this material are the views of the State Street Global Advisors Practice Management Group through the period ended May 30, 2024 are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The opinions expressed may differ from those with different investment philosophies. The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon.

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETFs net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.

The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use by State Street Global Advisors. S&P®, SPDR®, S&P 500®,US 500 and the 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”) and has been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P DJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by State Street Global Advisors. The fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P DJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of these indices.

In general, ETFs can be expected to move up or down in value with the value of the applicable index. Although ETF shares may be bought and sold on the exchange through any brokerage account, ETF shares are not individually redeemable from the Fund. Investors may acquire ETFs and tender them for redemption through the Fund in Creation Unit Aggregations only. Please see the prospectus for more details.

The trademarks and service marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Third party data providers make no warranties or representations of any kind relating to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the data and have no liability for damages of any kind relating to the use of such data.

This communication is not intended to be an investment recommendation or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.