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Actively managed exchange-traded funds are transforming the investment landscape in South Africa

Actively managed exchange-traded funds are transforming the investment landscape in South Africa
Niki Giles
By Niki Giles
6 Nov 2024
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Globally, actively managed exchange-traded funds are making waves in the investment world. In the US alone, the assets under management for active ETFs currently stands at an impressive $773-billion — up by more than 90% since the end of 2018.

This surge in popularity is reflected in the number of new launches. As of 31 August 2024, 309 of the 415 newly launched exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were actively managed. Europe has seen its own boost, with actively managed ETFs reaching a total assets under management of $49.29-billion by the end of the third quarter this year. A landmark was reached when a JP Morgan fund became the first European active ETF to top $10-billion in assets under management.

This shift isn’t just limited to international markets. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange introduced new regulations in October 2022 that opened the doors for actively managed ETFs (AMETFs). Previously, only index-tracking or passive ETFs were allowed on the exchange. The first AMETF was listed in May 2023, marking a significant step in South Africa’s ETF market. Today, the number of AMETFs on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is steadily growing, reflecting a broader global trend.

Why the appeal?


So why are AMETFs becoming so popular? Here are some of the main benefits:

Cost efficiency: ETFs, in general, are perceived as cheaper investment vehicles compared with their unlisted collective investment scheme counterparts. This is largely because ETFs have historically been passively managed, resulting in lower management fees. While actively managed ETFs may have slightly higher costs than passive ETFs, they could still provide a more cost-effective alternative to traditional unit trusts. The lack of classes for listed AMETFs democratises the cost of investing for retail investors, providing a single standardised cost structure that is accessible to all investors.

Accessibility: One of the standout benefits of AMETFs is accessibility. As exchange-traded products, they can be bought and sold as easily as any other listed security. This ease of access contrasts sharply with traditional unit trusts, which require investors to go through management company platforms or intermediaries like linked investment service providers platforms to trade. Once an AMETF is listed, anyone with access to an online trading platform can purchase it, no matter where they are in the world. As investment industry strategist, Roland Rousseau says: “Listing an ETF is like selling your product on Amazon — compared to a mutual fund, which can only be found in a physical store.”

Flexibility and liquidity: Unlike unit trusts, which can only be bought or sold at the fund’s Net Asset Value at the end of the trading day, AMETFs offer real-time flexibility. Investors can trade them throughout the trading day at market prices, providing an added level of liquidity.

Regulatory protection: All AMETFs are collective investment schemes and are regulated by South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act. This means that investors enjoy the same regulatory protections as they would when investing in unlisted unit trusts.

No minimum investment: One significant advantage of AMETFs is that they don’t have a minimum investment amount requirement, unlike many unit trust platforms that often require a sizeable initial outlay. This makes AMETFs accessible for smaller investors, allowing them to purchase whole units and build wealth incrementally.

U.S. tax advantage: It does need to be mentioned that in the US, ETFs have a tax advantage over mutual funds. Due to a tax structure known as the “in-kind” redemption mechanism, ETFs can avoid generating capital gains for investors until they sell their shares, whereas mutual funds may pass on capital gains taxes annually. This tax efficiency adds to the appeal of ETFs in the US, where tax considerations play a substantial role in investor decisions. However, this can’t be seen as a reason for AMETF popularity in Europe or South Africa, as these markets do not offer the same tax benefits. 

The local landscape


As of the second quarter of 2024, South African collective investment schemes reported R3.64-trillion in assets under management across 1,852 portfolios, with the majority of these assets in actively managed funds. The total market capitalisation of ETFs listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, including AMETFs, stood at over R180-billion as of October 2024, a fraction of the total collective investment schemes assets under management. But with 22 AMETFs now listed, their presence in the market is growing, though there’s still room for expansion.

Challenges to growth


While the potential of AMETFs is undeniable, certain barriers to growth remain.

  1. Chicken and egg: The adoption of AMETFs hinges on availability. Until there is a critical mass of AMETFs that offer sufficient diversification across asset classes, the uptake will probably remain slow. However, once enough AMETFs are listed, it could spark greater investor interest and spur innovation in accessing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

  2. Lack of choice: Currently, the number of AMETFs available is limited, particularly across different asset classes. As a result, many investors continue to rely on traditional collective investment scheme platforms to diversify their investments. Until more AMETFs are launched, the scope for diversification in this space will remain narrow.


The road ahead


The introduction of AMETFs on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange has the potential to reshape the landscape of investment in South Africa. With global and local markets moving towards more dynamic, accessible, and cost-effective investment vehicles, it seems likely that AMETFs will continue to grow in popularity. For investors, this presents new opportunities to blend active management with the liquidity and convenience of ETFs — making these products well worth the attention they’re receiving. DM

Niki Giles is the head of strategy at Prescient Fund Services.

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