An analysis of exchange-traded funds development in the United States
- Pathum Thani, Thailand : Asian Institute of Technology, 2007
- 40 leaves : ill.
- Research studies project report ; no. SM-07-86 .
- Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. SM-07-86 .
A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration in International Business
Research Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007
The report attempts to define and to explain the reason for the development of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the United States over these last years. Data used for the study is collected through Investment Companies Institute, market quotations' providers and several websites and books dedicated to finance. The significant finding from the analysis shows that investors have a growing interest in index trackers, and that ETFs benefit abundantly from that market trend. Their easiness to be purchased and hold and their low expense ratios justify partly their success. The diversity of available underlying indices is important, covering domestic and international equities from all industries, but also bonds and commodities. ETFs creation and redemption process is innovative, to what extent it is based on securities swap and not on purchases. However, this innovation does not allow them to be systematically more cost effective than some mutual funds.