By Samara Cohen
RETAIL INVESTORS AND ETFs
The variety of retail traders—people who make investments their very own cash to avoid wasting for retirement or meet different monetary objectives—taking part in monetary markets has grown considerably in recent times.1 As a outcome, retail buying and selling in U.S.-listed ETFs has additionally elevated, with buying and selling volumes, measured by the variety of ETF shares traded multiplied by the worth of the ETF shares, rising at a three-year compound annual development charge of 52% (Figure 1).
We imagine the expansion in retail traders’ use of ETFs has been pushed by a couple of key elements, together with an trade shift to commission-free buying and selling, improved digital experiences on direct platforms, and investor empowerment stemming from higher entry to monetary schooling by way of social media and different boards. Below are some key statistics that illustrate how retail traders are participating with the U.S. ETF market (Figure 2).
FIGURE 1: GROWTH OF RETAIL TRADING VOLUMES IN ETFs2
Chart Description: Bar chart exhibiting the expansion in yearly volumes of retail investor ETF buying and selling, measured in $ trillions. ETF quantity is calculated by taking the quantity of ETF shares traded multiplied by the worth every share was traded at.

FROM 2022 TO Q1 2023: WHAT’S CHANGED?
Q1 2023 offered a tougher setting for traders as a result of inflation, rate of interest coverage and stress within the banking sector. Still, retail investor exercise remained in keeping with 2022 ranges and even grew in some areas.
- Retail traders elevated their use of actively managed ETFs. Despite representing solely 6% of complete U.S.-listed ETF belongings, actively managed ETFs made up over 30% of ETF flows in Q1 2023.4 Retail traders accounted for almost 28% of all lively ETF volumes within the quarter, up from 24% in 2022.5
- Retail traders continued to commerce ETF choices. Retail traders drove 23% of all ETF choice exercise, a slight dip from 24% in 2022.6 However, there was elevated utilization of zero days to expiration (0DTE) choices, which have grow to be more and more fashionable funding instruments amongst retail traders.7
- Retail traders remained lively in ETFs. Retail investor ETF exercise elevated barely, from 15.1% of complete ETF quantity in 2022 to over 15.3% in Q1 2023.8
1 For extra info, see the 2022 Investment Company Fact Book, obtainable right here.
2 As of December 31, 2022. Source: BlackRock evaluation of SEC Rule 605 information.
3 As of March 31, 2023. Source: Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), UBS, BlackRock evaluation of SEC Rule 605 information. ETF choice quantity attributable to retail traders relies on orders of lower than 11 contracts and excludes market maker volumes.
4 As of March 31, 2023. Source: BlackRock, Bloomberg.
5 As of March 31, 2023. Source: BlackRock evaluation of SEC Rule 605 information.
6 As of March 31, 2023. Source: Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), BlackRock evaluation of SEC Rule 605 information. ETF choice quantity attributable to retail traders relies on orders of lower than 11 contracts and excludes market maker volumes.
7 A zero days to expiration (0DTE) choice is an choices contract set to run out on the finish of the present buying and selling day. This signifies that the worth of a 0DTE choice is totally decided by the underlying asset’s worth actions on that day. Retail traders have proven desire for shorter expiries. 65% of all choices traded by retail traders expire inside 5 days, greater than the trade common of 43%. As of March 31, 2023. Source: Cboe.
8 As of March 31, 2023. Source: BlackRock evaluation of SEC Rule 605 information.
Originally printed on iShares.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the creator and don’t essentially replicate these of Nasdaq, Inc.