Fundsters at big shops are betting on the next generation of strategic beta (also known as smart beta) ETFs. Chris Dieterich of Barron's highlights the rise of multifactor strategic beta ETFs and digs deeper into five such ETFs: the Franklin LibertyQ Global Equity ETF [profile], the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF [profile], the iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA ETF [profile], the J.P. Morgan Diversified Return U.S. Equity ETF [profile], and the SPDR MSCI USA Quality Mix ETF [profile].

Barron's points out that, per Morningstar data, there are now almost 200 multifactor strategic beta ETFs with a combined $36 billion in AUM, and more than a third of those ETFs were launched within the last year. Big players like Franklin have recently entered the smart beta space, the Columbia Threadneedle, Hartford, and OpFunds are all buying (or have recently bought) smart beta shops. And J.P. Morgan, which already offers its own strategic beta ETFs, just bought a minority stake in another smart beta shop. 

Edited by: Neil Anderson, Managing Editor


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