ETF and Index Funds Spring 2012 Quarterly Report

Investor Economics’ ETF and Index Funds Report provides extensive coverage of the fast‐growing exchange‐traded fund (ETF) segment, and tracks the progress of index mutual and segregated funds. Our ETF coverage monitors the segment from a number of vantage points, including asset class, underlying investment, and investment strategy. Meanwhile, the analytical views of the index fund segment include the tracking the mutual funds that “wrap” ETFs, a fairly new sub‐category of index funds that make ETFs available to a wider audience of advisors who operate with an MFDA license and have no immediate access to the stock exchange. The current edition of the report inaugurates our monthly coverage of ETF flow activity. Unlike other publications, Investor Economics measurement of ETF sales activity represents a true census of the market place. Our metrics are derived directly from net flow data provided by the ETF sponsors operating in Canada. In the context of ETFs, net flow activity is defined as the number of units created or redeemed during the day, valued at closing net asset value per unit (NAV). The current report presents March net flow data. A database covering net flow history for individual funds and firms is currently under development. Once completed, this database will form the basis of expanded coverage of ETF flow trends in our upcoming reports.