POWER YOUR INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO

Unlocking the potential of institutional ETFs for DB, DC and insurance.

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Construction worker building a wall

ETFs offer efficiency, diversification and liquidity for institutional investors. Discover how iShares ETFs can help you navigate the specific challenges for institutional investors. Explore our resources below to learn more about the use of ETFs for defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension schemes and insurers.

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.


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WATCH OUR ANIMATION TO SEE HOW ETFs HAVE EVOLVED

Discover the remarkable growth of ETFs for institutional investors. Watch our animation to see how ETFs have evolved from niche products to a cornerstone of institutional portfolios. From the early days to becoming a go-to tool for navigating market volatility, explore key milestones that have shaped the ETF landscape.

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Growth in global ETF assets under management since 2009

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European ETF assets are now worth over USD 2 trillion, fuelled by institutional buyers

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Here’s how they got there

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2000 - First ETF launches in Europe

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2004 - Institutional ETF usage increases. First emerging market equity ETF and REITS launches

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2004 - 2006 - Authorised participants start entering the market

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2008 - Financial crisis leads to increased ETF adoption

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2016 - Assets under management in European ETFs surpass EUR 500 billion

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2019 - Annual net inflows reach EUR 100 billion in the European ETF industry

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2020 - Investors flock to ETFs during the Covid-19 selloff

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2020 - Federal Reserve includes ETFs in purchase programme for the first time

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2021 - Assets under management in European ETFs hit EUR 1 trillion in January

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2022 - Amid high macro-driven market volatility, fixed income UCITS ETF trade volumes average USD 3.3 billion per day

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2022 - On 13 June, fixed income ETFs trade at USD 58.2 billion, the highest for a single day

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2023 - As sentiments change, various fixed income UCITS ETFs experience all-time high trading days

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25% of institutional flows into iShares ETFs come from first-time ETF users

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Institutional investors in Europe have increased their adoption of iShares ETFs, with 25% annual growth between 2020-2023

HOW INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS USE ETFs

How can we help you? From enhancing diversification and liquidity to optimizing risk management and accessing global markets, iShares offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you manage defined benefit, defined contribution, or insurance funds, our ETFs can help you achieve your investment goals.

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Defined Benefits

ETFs offer unique benefits for DB pension schemes. In this article, we cover how managers can use ETFs when navigating pension scheme challenges. Learn how ETFs can help you with liquidity management, support transitions and manage risks.

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Defined Contributions

Discover how ETFs offer solutions across all stages of the DC lifecycle. From building diversified portfolios to managing cash flow and navigating retirement, iShares ETFs can help address key challenges for DC pension schemes. Explore how ETFs can be used for strategic and tactical allocation, cash

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Insurance

Explore how ETFs can help those managing general and life insurance schemes. From access to niche markets, liquidity management to smoother pension risk transfers, iShares ETFs offer solutions for both general and life insurers.

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HOW iSHARES CAN HELP

iShares has been a leader in the ETF marketplace for more than two decades. Our products are engineered by investment professionals with discipline and deep risk management expertise. We work closely with institutional investors globally to support on the implementation of ETFs in their portfolio.

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Portfolio construction

Contact your BlackRock relationship manager to learn more about our portfolio consulting services.

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ETF Guide for institutional investors

Download our full ETF Guide for institutional investors where BlackRock experts discuss common use of ETF and examine the ETF market from the perspective of institutional investors.

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Unlock ETF access

In this paper we explore the different ways institutional investors can access ETFs.