FOFA to drive adviser ETF demand

BetaShares managing director Alex Vynokur told ifa that with FOFA regulations becoming mandatory from July 1, ETFs were likely to increase as a preferred option for IFAs.

“FOFA is kicking into gear from the middle of the year, and that’s also quite regularly discussed as another critical point in the continued growth of the ETF market,” Vynokur said.

“ETFs are generally regarded and renowned to be a simple, transparent and low cost investment alternative and a lot of the sentiment of the post-FOFA world is certainly around IFA looking to continue adopting those type of products in the client’s investment portfolio.”

“From an IFA’s perspective ETFs offer a compelling proposition.”

BetaShares ETF March review found that the domestic ETF market had hit the milestone figure of $7.12 billion in assets under management, on the back of positive market conditions.

It marks the sixth consecutive month that the Australian ETF industry has achieved record levels.

Vynokur said that the continual growth of the ETF industry has been largely impacted by the take up of products by advisers.

“The market is showing cumulative growth of 30 per cent per annum year on year and that’s expected to continue going forwards,” he said.

“We’re certainly seeing significant parts of the market adopting ETFs and independent financial advisers are a very significant part of the growth story.”