Wealth Managers Anticipate Increased ETF Use, Highlight Liquidity and AI Focus

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remain a dominant and growing investment vehicle, with wealth managers increasingly using them alongside active strategies and alternatives like private equity and private credit, despite liquidity challenges. A 2025 survey by State Street Investment Management highlights that 88% of wealth managers expect to increase ETF usage, and technology and AI-themed investments are gaining strong interest. Cullen Capital Management’s new Cullen Enhanced Equity Income ETF (DIVP) exemplifies innovation in the space by combining value-driven stock selection with selective options writing for income, offering an actively managed alternative to broad index-based enhanced income ETFs. The income-oriented ETF market is rapidly expanding, as discussed by industry leaders including BlackRock and Amplify ETFs, who see these products as key to diversifying portfolios beyond traditional bonds. Meanwhile, in emerging markets like Nepal, technical analysis is becoming an important tool for evaluating Mutual Funds and ETFs, aiding investors in understanding price momentum and market sentiment. Additionally, digital asset ETFs are attracting significant interest globally, with Korean investors seeking portfolio diversification through crypto-linked ETFs following the first US spot crypto ETF launch in 2024.