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An Overview of the Trends Shaping the ETF Market

Strategic beta, active ETFs, ETF managed portfolios--these are just a few of the trends shaping the ETF industry today. Join Morningstar’s analysts for their take on these key topics and get their insights into what the future has in store for ETFs.

Factor Investing with ETFs

Finance researchers agree that most active managers’ excess returns can be replicated by factor strategies. The past few years have seen a renaissance in factor ETFs. Join Sam Lee, ETF strategist and editor of Morningstar’s ETFInvestor newsletter for an in-depth lesson on how to put factors to work in your portfolio.

Russ Koesterich, BlackRock/iShares

Strategic Beta: Where Passive Meets Active

In this session, we will discuss the ins and outs of due diligence on strategic betas, take a look at the factors that these benchmarks attempt to exploit, and discuss how they can be best used in a portfolio.

Moderated by Michael Rawson, Morningstar

Craig Lazzara, S&P Dow Jones Indices

Joel Dickson, Vanguard

Anthony Davidow, Schwab Center for Financial Research

Tricks of the Trade

Trading ETFs can be tricky business. This trading tutorial from the author of The ETF Handbook and the Visual Guide to ETFs will cover best practices in ETF trading, equipping investors with the knowledge they need to navigate the ebb and flow of ETF liquidity.

Introduction by Robert Goldsborough, Morningstar

David Abner, WisdomTree

Navigating the à la Carte Menu

ETF managed portfolio strategies can be used in a variety of ways, making the allocation of client assets a challenge for many advisors. This panel will delve deep into the practical considerations for building portfolios using one or more of these strategies.

Moderated by Ben Johnson, Morningstar

Brooks Friederich, Envestnet

Tracy Gallman, Gallman Consulting Group

Reaching for Yield

Ray DeVoe said, "More money has been lost reaching for yield than at the point of a gun." Our panel will discuss opportunities and dangers in today's yield-starved world, mindful of the danger of everyone piling into the same high-yield assets.

Moderated by Samuel Lee, Morningstar

Chris Goolgasian, State Street Global Advisors

Joshua Emanuel, Elements Financial Group

David Garff, Accuvest

Is it Time to Develop a New Approach to Emerging Markets?

The shine has come off the emerging-markets growth story of late, but there are opportunities for those willing to consider the many different options available. Our expert panel will discuss ways to fine-tune your emerging-markets exposure.

Moderated by Patricia Oey, Morningstar

Nick Smithie, Emerging Global Advisors

Raman Subramanian, MSCI

Distribution for a Consistent Client Experience

The majority of assets in ETF managed portfolios reside in separately managed accounts leading to potential differences in information flow and investor experiences compared with regulated vehicles. Our panelists will discuss this occurrence and what can be done to foster consistency. 

Moderated by Ling-Wei Hew, Morningstar

Kol Estreicher, WEX

Mike Stern, Placemark

Eugene Fama, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

With or Without You--Dividend Investing and ETFs

The growing popularity of dividend-focused ETFs has provided the market with a dizzying array of equity income strategies to choose from. Our expert panelists will discuss the ins and outs of investing with an eye for dividends.

Moderated by Samuel Lee, Morningstar

Josh Peters, Morningstar

Mebane Faber, Cambria

Investing in Bonds in a Rising-Rate Environment

The prospect of rising rates has investors searching high and low for some form of protection against interest-rate risk. Our panel will discuss where investors should be seeking shelter.

Moderated by John Gabriel, Morningstar

Lee Shaiman, Blackstone/GSO

Josh Barrickman, Vanguard

William Belden, Guggenheim

Space Exploration in the ETFMP Universe

The current ETF managed portfolio landscape is extremely top-heavy. But there are many up-and-coming managers in this field offering innovative approaches. This panel will spotlight three emerging managers who will shed light on the next frontier of ETF portfolio strategies.

Moderated by Scott Burns, Morningstar

Corey Hoffstein, Newfound Research

Jeff Hays, Hays Advisory

James Colon, Nuveen Asset Management

Where to Be Active

Active management is so passé these days. But, there are corners of the market where active managers have regularly passed muster. When and where does it pay to take a pass on passive?

Moderated by Lee Davidson, Morningstar

Aye M. Soe, S&P Dow Jones Indices

Lee Sterne, Fidelity Investments

Bonds Away

Foreign bonds present the potential for improved diversification and higher yields, but with these prospective benefits come additional risks. Is going overseas in search of new prospects for your fixed-income portfolio worth it?

Moderated by Patricia Oey, Morningstar

Josh Barrickman, Vanguard
Matt Tucker, BlackRock/iShares

Brian Evans, Madrona Funds

Where Are the Go-Anywhere Managers Going?

The current market environment is offering up pockets of both opportunity and risk. Our panelists will provide their outlook on avenues of interest and practical considerations for implementing tactical strategies.

Moderated by Sumit Desai, Morningstar

James Breech, Cougar Global Investments

Christian Wagner, Longview Capital

What Are my Alternatives?

There is a growing investment opportunity set that has developed outside the Morningstar Style Box. Our panel will cover the opportunities that exist in the ever wider world of alternatives and how alternative strategies and asset classes can best be implemented within a portfolio.

Moderated by Josh Charlson, Morningstar

Adam Patti, IndexIQ

Axel Merk, Merk Investments

Simeon Hyman, ProShares

Focus on Quality

Economic moats, healthy growth, and high and stable profits are often associated with quality stocks. This panel will take an in-depth look at the value of investing in quality franchises.

Moderated by Alex Bryan, Morningstar

Michael Hodel, Morningstar

Christopher Huemmer, FlexShares ETFs

David Mazza, State Street Global Advisors

Facing the Fed-Induced Headwinds

The current interest-rate environment has many investors rethinking the role of fixed income within a portfolio. Find out how these managers are approaching fixed income as a stand-alone asset class and re-examining its use within a client portfolio.

Moderated by David Sekera, Morningstar

Robert Smith, Sage Advisory

Steve Blumenthal, CMG

Meet the Pundits 

This panel of ETF experts will provide a no-holds-barred review of the state of all-things-ETF and a look into the future of ETF investing.

Moderated by Beverly Goodman, Barron’s 

Matt Hougan, ETF.com

Ben Johnson, Morningstar

Tom Lydon, ETF Trends