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Resource Hub

Exchange-Traded Funds

Get the basics on the creation, operation, and regulation of ETFs, as well as policy views from ICI and updates on recent ETF developments.

Overview

An exchange-traded fund is a pooled investment vehicle with shares that can be bought or sold throughout the day on stock exchanges at market-determined prices. Investors may buy or sell ETF shares through a broker, just as they would the shares of any publicly traded company.

 

Committees & Working Groups

ETF (Exchange-Traded Funds) Committee

The ETF (Exchange-Traded Funds) Committee provides a forum for members to reflect on the growth and importance of ETFs, their characteristics and the Institute's desire to address the needs and interests of ETF member sponsors. It examines the legal, regulatory, legislative, and market issues affecting ETFs. It provides a forum for members to discuss policy objectives.

ETF Advisory Committee

The ETF Advisory Committee examines regulatory, legislative, and market issues affecting the management and operations of exchange-traded funds.

ICI Contacts

News & Publications

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ICI Quarterly Update

ICI Quarterly Update, July 2025

This quarter marked significant progress in advancing policies that protect investors and strengthen America’s retirement system. With the passage of the recent tax reform bill, lawmakers delivered a major win for fund shareholders and savers nationwide. The new law safeguards the...

ICI Daily News: SCOTUS to Hear Case That Could Curb Activist Lawsuits Lessons from ICI’s 2025 Leadership Summit ICI Applauds Introduction of House Bill to Reform FSOC IRA Investors in Mutual Funds Concentrate Their Assets in Lower-Cost Mutual Funds ICI Announces Tom Quaadman Will Lead...

ETF Conference September 8–10 ICI’s first-ever conference focused exclusively on ETFs will bring together ETF sponsors, regulators, and other market participants in a vibrant environment of learning, discussion, and collaboration. Tax and Accounting Conference October 5–8 Join us to...

The SEC’s Director of the Division of Investment Management Brian Daly in conversation with ICI’s General Counsel Paul Cellupica. This week, ICI hosted the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) new Director of the Division of Investment Management, Brian Daly, for a discussion...

ICI has launched several new committees and working groups over the past few months, many of which are actively seeking new members: The Financial Innovation Advisory Committee (FIAC) brings together a unique cross-section of our membership to grapple with the regulatory and...

ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan appeared on CNBC’s ETF Edge in July to discuss developments in the current regulatory landscape: “We want to be pro-innovation. We like the idea that through competition, firms, our members, can come up with new products, try them out, see if there's...

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Policy & Regulatory Updates

Research & Statistics

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White Paper

Mutual Fund to ETF Conversion: Operational Considerations

Beginning in 2021, there has been a steadily increasing trend of mutual funds converting to ETFs. Some key differentiators between mutual funds and ETFs are how investors purchase and sell shares, and how the funds themselves purchase and sell portfolio holdings. ETFs are attractive to certain investors, when compared to mutual funds, because they offer intra-day liquidity and provide increased transparency on holdings information, often with lower fees. Certain ETFs can also provide greater tax efficiency to investors in taxable accounts. When compared to mutual funds, these potential...
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Member Resources