Why Advisors Are Pivoting to Managed Futures & Thematics

Why It Matters

The move toward managed futures and thematic ETFs signals investor demand for uncorrelated, inflation-hedging strategies as traditional 60/40 allocations struggle, while record ETF flows and new product launches reshape asset-allocation tools available to advisors.

Summary

Advisors are increasingly pivoting to managed futures and thematic ETFs as traditional diversification has faltered this decade—bonds are down while equities remain elevated and inflation fears persist. Andrew Beer’s IMGP DBI managed futures ETF (DBMF) has seen assets surge from about $1 billion to $3.7 billion in a year, drawing attention alongside a new Simplify partnership on SDMF. Panelists also noted massive industry flows—about $750 billion year-to-date—with strong demand for fixed-income ETFs, growth funds and thematic strategies such as memory, space and infrastructure. Despite shifts beneath the surface, large market-cap U.S. ETFs continue to dominate inflows.

Original Description

In this episode, we dive into a massive "ETF Grab Bag" alongside industry experts to unpack the major shifts reshaping financial markets in 2026. First, Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at VettaFi, joins us to discuss shattering ETF inflow milestones, the historic race between Vanguard and BlackRock for the asset crown, and the critical structural differences inside popular emerging market and thematic ETFs.

Later, Andrew Beer, Managing Member of DBI, breaks down the explosive growth behind the iMGP DB Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF). Discover how managed futures act as the ultimate diversifier against sticky inflation and market volatility, and learn about their new partnership with Simplify to bring a low-cost, index-based alternative (SDMF) to passive investors.

Chapters:

Part 1: Thematics and 2026 Market Outlook

00:00 – Introduction: The Problem with Traditional Diversification

01:44 – 2026 ETF Inflow Milestones & The $2 Trillion Prediction

05:35 – Shifting Market Dynamics: Fixed Income, Growth, and Thematics

08:41 – Will VOO Become the First Trillion-Dollar ETF?

09:55 – Vanguard vs. BlackRock: The Race for the ETF Industry Crown

14:45 – The South Korea Differential: Comparing IEMG and VWO

19:57 – Under-the-Radar ETF Launches to Watch This Year

23:32 – Crypto ETF Momentum: Staked Ethereum & Late-Wave Bitcoin

24:18 – Expense Ratios vs. Performance: The Danger of Buying Cheap Thematics

29:34 – Is Smart Beta Making a Comeback?

Part 2: Demystifying Managed Futures

34:58 – Demystifying Managed Futures: What Are They & How Do They Work?

40:37 – Inside DBMF: Replicating Hedge Fund Strategy Efficiently

42:42 – Current Market Positioning: Tech Optimism vs. Inflation Fears

44:03 – The Investment Case for Managed Futures in a 60/40 Portfolio

50:34 – Active vs. Passive Managed Futures: DBMF vs. SDMF

55:46 – Due Diligence Checklist for Alternative ETFs

58:09 – Outro & Previewing Next Week's Episode

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