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Investor heterogeneity and the market for fund benchmarks: Evidence from passive ETFs

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  • Kostovetsky, Leonard
  • Warner, Jerold

Abstract

The market for passive ETFs and passive ETF benchmarks has exploded. Passive ETF sponsors get index benchmarks mainly from brand name index providers such as S&P and Russell. We show how benchmark and index provider characteristics are relevant for sponsors and different investor types. ETF benchmarks from large index providers attract more capital. Institutional flows exhibit a strong preference for brand name benchmarks, but do-it-yourself retail investor flows do not. ETFs that change benchmarks reduce their tracking error and have 7% higher flows in the subsequent three months, again driven by institutional flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Kostovetsky, Leonard & Warner, Jerold, 2025. "Investor heterogeneity and the market for fund benchmarks: Evidence from passive ETFs," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:173:y:2025:i:c:s0378426625000329
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2025.107412
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