A BetaShares ETF report, in partnership with research company Investment Trends, shows that the number of SMSFs investing in ETFs through their SMSF increased by 5,000 in the past 12 months, up to 105,000 investors in total.
Approximately one in six SMSFs invest in ETFs, and around a third of all ETF investors are SMSFs, the report said.
“We are seeing diversification, low cost and access to overseas markets as the three top drivers for investing in ETFs among SMSF and individual investors,” the report said.
“In addition, investors cite liquidity and convenience as other key reasons for choosing ETFs as an investment vehicle.”
The report also indicated that there have been marked changes in demographics among ETF investors as the industry becomes younger, and more mainstream.
“While the early adopters of ETFs were older, more sophisticated investors, this demographic is changing rapidly,” the report said.
“The average age of those who started investing in ETFs in the last 12 months is now 42, significantly younger than an average age of 56 among those who started investing in ETFs more than five years ago.”


