2018 Investment Company Fact Book

ICI

Research

348 Pages

Investment Company Institute’s 2018 Fact Book breaks down the structure, growth, and behavior of the global fund industry, with a focus on mutual funds, ETFs, and retirement vehicles. It highlights rising household reliance on funds and declining fees, while raising questions about concentration and passive dominance.

Key Takeaways

Global Fund Growth Trends: Worldwide regulated fund assets reached $49.3 trillion in 2017, up from $28.9 trillion in 2007, reflecting a near 70% increase over a decade.
Shift Toward Passive: US index mutual funds and ETFs grew to 37% of long term fund assets in 2017, up from 19% in 2010, signaling accelerating passive adoption.
Declining Fee Pressure: Average expense ratios for equity mutual funds fell to 0.59% in 2017 versus 0.99% in 2000, indicating sustained cost compression across the industry.
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