BlackRock iShares Storm ETF Market In 2014

BlackRock announced its iShares business led the global exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry last year, capturing $102.8 billion in net flows.

According to the global asset manager, grown was driven by the iShares U.S. and European product flows, in which the U.S. product achieved a record $82.8 billion of new assets in 2014, surpassing the previous record of $62 billion set in 2012.

“Clients from Asia and Latin America continue to use both our U.S. and European ETF suite in record numbers, contributing $19.8 billion in net new assets through November 30th,” says Mark Weidman, global head of iShares, BlackRock.

“We’re seeing ETFs truly come of age, as more investors around the world recognize and embrace the versatility of these vehicles – whether it’s for their strategic buy-and-hold investments or precision exposures to express a view on virtually any market.”

Fixed income was a key driver of flows globally, as investors look to adopt ETFs for accessing the bond markets.