Early Grades on 2026 ETF Predictions & Key Market Themes to Watch

Cinthia Murphy, Investment Strategist at VettaFi, delivers early grades on host Nate Geraci’s five ETF predictions for 2026.  Matt Bartolini, Global Head of Research Strategists at State Street Investment Management, shares three key ETF and market themes on his radar.

John Davi, Founder & Chief Investment Officer at Astoria Portfolio Advisors, highlights the firm’s 10 ETFs for 2026. Ryan Barksdale, Head of Active Equity Product at Vanguard, and Kim Gailun, Head of Equity Boutiques at Wellington Management, discuss their collaboration in bringing Vanguard’s first active equity ETFs to market.

Cullen Roche, Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Discipline Funds, discusses his new book, Your Perfect Portfolio: The ultimate guide to using the world’s most powerful investing strategies.  He also breaks down the firm’s recently launched suite of Defined Duration ETFs.  Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at VettaFi, shares the five ETF stories he’s watching most closely as 2026 gets underway.

Cinthia Murphy, Investment Strategist at VettaFi, breaks down new survey data on how financial advisors are thinking about equities, fixed income, and crypto heading into 2026. Brittany Christensen, Head of Business Development at Tidal Financial Group, highlights her top ETF stories to watch in the year ahead.

Ben Johnson, Head of Client Solutions at Morningstar, recaps the year in ETFs, sharing his picks for ETF Story of the Year, ETF of the Year, ETF Issuer of the Year, and more.  He also looks ahead to 2026, highlighting the key industry trends and developments he’s watching.

Roxanna Islam, Head of Sector & Industry Research at VettaFi, shares her perspective on several recent ETF developments, including Vanguard opening brokerage access to spot crypto ETFs, Goldman Sachs’ acquisition of Innovator ETFs, and the SEC’s pushback on filings for 5x leveraged products.  Petra Bakosova, CEO of Hull Tactical and Portfolio Manager of the Hull Tactical U.S. ETF (HTUS), explains the firm’s approach to delivering tactical, risk-managed S&P 500 exposure.

Clark Allen, Head of Product at Horizon, discusses the firm’s ETF entrance earlier this year and how its model portfolio business shapes product development.  Mike Hagopian, Institutional Portfolio Manager at Fidelity, highlights the firm’s actively managed Enhanced ETF lineup, which aims to deliver outperformance and offer a thoughtful alternative to traditional passive investing.

JD Gardner, Founder of Aptus Capital Advisors, goes inside the decision to launch the lowest-cost buffer ETFs and the outsized role investor behavior plays in long-term returns.  Stacey Morris, Head of Energy Research at VettaFi, spotlights the latest leaders and laggards in energy ETFs and what could drive the sector in the months ahead.

Greg Stumm, CEO of American Beacon Partners, breaks down key ETF trends, including distribution, active management, multi-share class structures, private assets, and crypto.  Jason Greenblath, Senior Portfolio Manager & Director of Corporate Credit Research at American Century Investments, highlights where he sees opportunities in fixed income and makes a strong case for the value of active management.

Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at VettaFi, discusses recent ETF milestones and the top stories from ETFTrends.com. Paul Baiocchi, Head of Fund Sales and Strategy at SS&C ALPS Advisors, shares his key ETF takeaways from 2025 and offers a look ahead to 2026.