Trillions

This podcast explores the resurrection of failed ETFs and the determination behind making them work. They discuss a list of resurrected ETFs, including target date and luxury goods sector ETFs. They evaluate the investment potential of luxury brands, focusing on Louis Vuitton. They explore the success of the JETS ETF during COVID-19 and the missed gains due to the delayed launch of a boat ETF. A cautionary note is given about investing in VIX-related products.

How much does the average person know about ETFs? What about an ETF analyst? On this episode of Trillions we put the experts knowledge to the test in our first ever ETF trivia game featuring two competitive teams made up of Todd Rosenbluth, head of ETF research at VettaFi, Lara Crigger, Editor-in-Chief of VettaFi, Katie Greifeld of Bloomberg News and Athanasios Psarofagis of Bloomberg Intelligence. Questions range across asset classes and historical periods and the winning team gets a free sushi lunch with Joel and Eric. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest recently purchased European exchange-traded fund issuer Rize. The move shows yet another US-based issuer bringing their talents to Europe, a market that while only a fraction the size of the US is growing quickly.  On this episode of Trillions we talk to Hector McNeil, Co-Chief Executive Officer of HANetf and a veteran of the European ETF market. We discuss how Europe remains behind the US in some ways, but ahead in others. We also analyze how portfolios are changing and what McNeil advises issuers to think about when launching new funds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the investment potential and challenges in the Indian market, focusing on its growing consumer base, adoption of digital payments, and unique approaches to technology. Discover the potential of investing in India's consumer story, the leapfrogging mobile money trend, and the high valuations in the Indian stock market. Gain insights on India's demographics, startups, and the popularity of ETFs in capturing the country's boom.

Discover the continued relevance of mutual funds and their value in defined benefit plans and 401ks. Learn about the Baron Partners Fund, which outperformed by focusing on Tesla. Explore potential exposure to the space sector through mutual funds and Fidelity's performance. Discuss the success of Fidelity in low cost index funds and the importance of fees for active mutual funds. The speakers express gratitude and recommend VTI for investing in the entire market.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss the surprising fact that Invesco's QQQ does not generate revenue for the company. They explore the structure of the QQQ ETF and its high expense ratio. The podcast also delves into the decline of unit investment trusts (UITs) and Invesco's unique situation with QQQ. The possibility of a shareholder vote and the history of QQQ are also discussed. Additionally, the hosts compare QQQ and QQQM ETFs, highlighting liquidity and the top stocks in the Qs.

It sounds too good to be true. An exchange-traded fund that is 100% protected from any losses but still gets to participate in stock market gains? While there is a catch and a trade-off involved, that is pretty much what the Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF—2 Yr to July 2025 (TJUL) sets out to do in a strategy using options. On this episode of Trillions we speak to the masterminds behind this new ETF, Innovator Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bond and Chief Investment Officer Graham Day. We talk about how the ETF works, what the trade-offs are, who it’s targeted at and the coming competition in the “buffer” ETF category.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the third quarter and exchange-traded fund investors have finally gotten their FOMO bug back. While they’re currently plowing money into equities, how long can the good times last? This is just one of many trends to watch in the second half.  On this episode of Trillions, Eric Balchunas and Joel Weber speak with Athanasios Psarofagis, a Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst, about five big stories to watch in the third and fourth quarters of 2023. These include the Bitcoin ETF race, the dethroning of cash, the new “share class” to know about and how active’s rise is upended ETF issuers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past decade, about 30 spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund applications have been swatted aside by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The outlook appeared dire. And then a surprise filing by BlackRock Inc. in mid-June seemed to change the mood. A rush of new applications and amendments to existing proposals soon followed. And Ophelia Snyder—co-founder and president of 21Shares, who had re-filed a spot Bitcoin ETF application with ARK Invest in April—was in the mix again. On this episode of Trillions, Eric Balchunas and Joel Weber dive into the never-ending race for a Bitcoin ETF, joined by Snyder and James Seyffart, an ETF analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. The group discusses the new attention on market surveillance, what Coinbase’s involvement means, the odds of any of these applications actually getting approved—and the size of the potential market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dalia Blass has a rare perspective on the exchange-traded fund industry. Now a lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell, she recently left BlackRock, where she was head of external affairs. Before that, Blass did multiple tours of duty with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, most recently as the director of investment management.  On this episode of Trillions, Blass joins Eric Balchunas and Joel Weber to discuss the regulator’s role in innovation, funds and regulation; the politicization of environmental, social and governance investing; and what’s next for crypto, artificial intelligence and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.