Advisers are looking for exchange-traded fund (ETF) model portfolios that are more relevant to their clients in terms of being customisable, rules-based and research-driven, according to one research provider.
"Advisers are really looking at how to develop their own ETF-only solution for their clients," AltaVista Research head of sales and corporate development Michael Turner told InvestorDaily.
"But ETF research tools needed to be more relevant to advisers and their clients."
Advisers have been seeking rules-based and research-driven model portfolios so that the investment merits of the ETFs utilised and the models themselves could be communicated clearly to their clients, Mr Turner said.
"It would also allow advisers to focus on their core strengths of providing advice rather than being the investment manager as well," he said, adding that whilst the level of adviser ETF education and implementation knowledge was varied, many advisers are keen to learn more.
"One of the challenges is how to explain ETFs to a client, compounded by advocating active management in the past. ETFs are not necessarily a replacement for active management; more an effective complementary product that fundamentally lowers fees and provides investors with elements of certainty."
In addition, the current approach to ETF research does not go far enough and treats them as just a listed passive managed fund, rather than as a much more dedicated selection of securities, Mr Turner said.
It is therefore vital that advisers seek continuous research on ETFs, rather than research that is delivered once a year, he said.
