About a year after launching its first active ETFs, Robeco has attracted more than 1 billion euro in assets. Four of the six listed ETF’s now hold over 100 million euro each—a key threshold for institutional investors.
That’s according to ETF head Nick King, who spoke with Investment Officer.
The assets come from a mix of institutional and retail investors—something that surprised King. “A year ago, we expected the majority of inflows to come from wholesale clients,” he said.
Robeco currently offers five active equity ETFs and, more recently, a bond strategy. According to King, investor interest is well spread across the six trackers, with strong demand for the 3D strategy, which optimizes risk, return, and sustainability versus its benchmark using quantitative techniques—an area where Robeco has over two decades of experience.
Focus remains on active management
ETFs have become a core part of Robeco’s overall strategy, but that doesn’t mean the Rotterdam-based asset manager has changed its stance on passive investing. “We remain an active investor, so the ETFs we launch will always be actively managed,” King said. “For us, ETFs are a way to give clients access to our investment expertise through a different channel—not a shift toward a passive investment philosophy.”
The firm values flexibility in ETF design. The recently launched Climate Euro Government Bond ETF, for example, was developed in collaboration with a client and is broadly diversified across the government bonds of countries making the most progress toward climate neutrality. “If you were to structure this as a purely passive product, it could unintentionally distort the risk-return profile,” King noted, referring to the different ways countries issue debt.
“That’s why we combine a climate-focused index with active risk management, so investors can hold a sustainable bond portfolio without straying from the broader euro government bond market.”
Further expansion ahead
In January next year, Robeco plans to expand its range of bond ETFs, with new equity products expected to follow in 2026. King pointed out that the market for so-called enhanced index strategies is now well served. “It makes sense that next year we’ll develop products with higher active risk—strategies that deviate more from the benchmark and require greater active management. We’re also seeing our competitors move in that direction,” he said.
The team is also working on products that can be used tactically, King added, referring to an earlier launched thematic ETF. Next year, that lineup is expected to include an AI-driven equity product.
Beyond product development, Robeco is adapting to the rise of new digital distribution platforms that exclusively offer ETFs. According to King, this enables Robeco to both serve existing clients and attract new ones.