iShares Helps Advisers Spot Competitively Priced ETFs in 401(k)s

iShares has launched the "iShares in 401(k) Program" to help financial advisers better utilize exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as standard investment options.

iShares said its new offering identifies administrative providers and networks that offer competitively priced access to ETFs in 401(k) accounts, making it easier for financial advisers, according to a news release.

iShares has identified PAi and Ascensus as the first Preferred Providers and Mid Atlantic Financial Platforms as the first Preferred Network, and plans to selectively add more providers and networks in the future, the release said.

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Preferred Providers are administrators that offer fully bundled ETF 401(k) solutions to financial advisers. Preferred Networks are custodians or technology providers that enable all the administrators on their network to offer ETF 401(k) plans.

“Financial advisers and their clients are increasingly requesting access to ETFs in 401(k) plans, but many financial advisers struggle to find an administrator that can effectively deliver ETFs,” said Darek Wojnar, head of iShares Product Research and Strategy, in the news release. “iShares is making it easier for financial advisers to learn about effective ETF 401(k) solutions while remaining focused on their main priority of staying closely connected with their clients and portfolios.”


More information is available at www.iShares401k.com.

 

Flight from Equity Funds Continued in March

Stock, bond, and hybrid mutual funds saw a $10.5 billion March outflow after being down $12.1 billion the month before, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI).

ICI data showed fund asset levels overall were $9.2 trillion, up 2.3% in March, according to a news release. Overall fund levels dropped 4% to $9 trillion in February (see “Mutual Fund Flows Backtrack in February’).

The announcement said stock funds saw a $27.5-billion March outflow, compared to an asset loss of $24.8 billion the month before. Among stock offerings, world equity funds posted an outflow of $11.1 billion in March, versus a $10.7 billion asset drain in February. Funds that invest primarily in the U.S. had an outflow of $16.4 billion in March, versus a $14.1 billion for the earlier month.

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Meanwhile, according to ICI, hybrid funds posted a $4-billion March outflow, compared to an outflow of $4.23 billion the month before.

ICI said bond funds had enjoyed an inflow of $21 billion in March, compared to a $16.9-billion inflow in February. Taxable bond funds had an inflow of $17.6 billion in March, versus an inflow of $12.6 billion in February while municipal bond funds had a March influx of $3.3 billion in March, compared to a boost of $4.3 billion the month before.

Money market funds had an outflow of $77 billion in March, compared to a $6.3 billion February outflow.

More information is available here.

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