In terms of population, the universe of actively managed municipal bond exchange traded funds is growing at a prodigious pace. That makes sense because there are multiple reasons why the combination of municipal bonds and active management can reward investors.
Broad measures of investment-grade municipal bonds didn't do much of anything in the first half of 2024. However, some market observers believe the asset class could be poised for some upside as the second half unfolds.
As measured by the widely followed ICE AMT-Free US National Municipal Index, muni bonds are sporting modest losses over the past month and on a year-to-date basis. However, it's not all bad news when it comes to municipal debt.
Active ETFs have had their coming-out party over the last two years. Asset managers and investors alike are coming to the vehicle's active variant in droves thanks to the combination of transparency, tax advantages, and manager expertise.
SS&C ALPs and VettaFi hosted a virtual summit on active management earlier yesterday. The four-session summit provided attendees with actionable information and useful insights.