BlackRock Considers Active ETFs

BlackRock is considering its own line of exchange-traded funds. Robert Kapito, president, said that BlackRock is researching actively-managed ETFs but has not yet committed itself to the space. Kapito said that BlackRock will only consider active ETFs and is not interested in passive ETF strategies because the firm believes that active management benefits investors. Kapito did not discuss a time frame for a decision on active ETFs.

Kapito said the two biggest demands BlackRock is receiving from clients now are for investments in commodities and asset allocation because they do not understand either very well. He added that there has been a lot of demand for BlackRock’s Global Allocation Fund because it gives investors "more of the upside and less of the downside," making it a popular offering in volatile markets. Kapito said that BlackRock has been holding discussions with advisors to educate them about commodities investing and that the firm is continually developing educational materials for its Web site on such topics.

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