The ETF Stories to Watch for the Rest of 2026

Brian Daly, Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, provides an update on novel ETFs following the agency’s request for public comment earlier this year. Paul Baiocchi, Head of Fund Sales & Strategy at SS&C ALPS Advisors, examines key market themes investors should watch for the remainder of the year. Johnny Wu, Founder & CEO of xETFs, discusses the firm’s entry into the ETF space and highlights several products, including its recently launched xETFs AI Bottlenecks ETF (NECK).

Cinthia Murphy, Director of Research at VettaFi, joins host Nate Geraci to discuss the ETF stories they’re watching for the remainder of the year, including 351 Exchanges, novel ETFs, TXSE listings, crypto ETFs, Corgi, and record inflows. Jeff Klingelhofer, Managing Director & Portfolio Manager at Aristotle Pacific, discusses the firm’s recent entry into the ETF market and offers an in-depth look at today’s fixed income markets.

Ben Sklar, Portfolio Manager – Index & Derivative Solutions at AllianceBernstein, discusses the firm’s unique suite of buffer ETFs and previews a forthcoming premium income ETF. Bill Perkins, Founder & Chief Investment Officer at Skylar Capital Management, spotlights the first-of-its-kind Skylar Electricity Futures ETF (MWHS) and explains how artificial intelligence and robotics could drive the next wave of electricity demand.

Tom Hendrickson, President of TMX VettaFi, and Rob Arnott, Chairman of Syzygy Asset Management (formerly Research Affiliates), take you behind the scenes of VettaFi’s acquisition of RAFI Indices, unpacking how the deal came together, why fundamental indexing matters, and what’s next.

Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at VettaFi, takes a look across the ETF landscape, covering record-setting inflows, the categories attracting the most investor interest, the recent uptick in industry mergers and acquisitions, and more. Brian Casey, CEO of Westwood Holdings Group, discusses the Westwood Salient Enhanced Power & Infrastructure ETF (PWRX), the first ETF to launch on the newly established Texas Stock Exchange.

Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg and author of The Bogle Effect, reflects on the 50th anniversary of Vanguard’s first index fund and its transformative impact on investors and the asset management industry. Kirsten Chang, Senior Industry Analyst at VettaFi, spotlights several recent launches, including the State Street SPDR UC Investments 90/10 Endowment Strategy Index ETF (USBG) and the ARK Active Autocallable Income ETF (ARKY).

Maria Rahni, Senior Director & Equities Product Manager at New York Life Investment Management, provides a closer look at the NYLIM FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF (HFXI), including its 50% currency hedge, and shares her perspective on the U.S. dollar and international equities. Sandra Testani, Head of Global ETF Product & Strategy at American Century, discusses the continued growth of the firm’s ETF lineup and offers a tour of the financial markets, highlighting several ETFs along the way.

Roxanna Islam, Head of Sector & Industry Research at VettaFi, delivers a crypto ETF “state of the union,” covering performance, flows, and the competitive landscape. Bob Hum, Head of Investment Product & Commercialization at SEI, discusses how the firm’s ETF lineup has tripled to more than $9 billion over the past year – and what’s driving that growth.

Mike Akins, Founding Partner of ETF Action, discusses Goldman Sachs’ acquisition of NEOS Investments, NHL futures ETF filings, crypto, and why ETF education is becoming increasingly important. Paul Baiocchi, Head of Fund Sales and Strategy at SS&C ALPS Advisors, spotlights the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) and the ALPS/Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH), sharing his outlook on international equities and the current fixed income environment.

Tarek Saab, CEO and Co-Founder of Texas Precious Metals, makes the case for the Y’all Street Physical Gold ETF (YSAU) and Y’all Street Physical Silver ETF (YSAG), the first and only physically backed ETFs to custody 100% of their gold and silver on U.S. soil. Steffan Szumowski, Nuclear Research Analyst at VettaFi, takes stock of the nuclear industry and highlights key considerations for investors seeking exposure to nuclear and uranium ETFs.