The Dynamics of ETF Fees

Abstract

Despite widely publicized fee reductions, average expense ratios of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remained relatively steady between 2004 and 2018. Even though thousands of new funds entered the market during this period, the arrival of most ETF sponsors into a narrowly defined area has not generally led to lower fees for competing funds. Given the impact of fees on long-term investment returns, investors should carefully examine all available opportunities before choosing specific funds. Furthermore, as objectives for newer ETFs become increasingly specialized, investors must also consider whether the benefits of targeted strategies justify their higher prices.