Episode summary
Top Market & ETF Stories to Watch in 2026
ETF Prime
· · 59 min · Hosts: Nate Geraci, Simeon Hyman · Guests: Cinthia Murphy, Brittany Christensen
Summary
Veteran advisor survey data showed a notably bullish stance heading into 2026. Most advisers expect the S&P 500 to finish 2026 at least 10% higher, while 75% expect interest rates to be lower. The host and Cynthia Murphy argued that this combination could keep equity ETF flows strong, but also shift attention toward the belly of the fixed income curve, TIPS, and possibly away from money market funds as yields fall.
The survey also showed that market volatility and uncertain US policy remain the top client worries, while market concentration ranked much lower than expected. That supported a view that defined outcome ETFs still have room to grow, but many advisers remain unwilling to give up upside in a market that has kept rewarding large-cap US exposure.
Crypto was another theme: nearly half of advisers said some clients already own digital assets, but the primary reason remains speculative growth rather than belief in the underlying technology. The episode closed with a preview of 2026 ETF stories from Brittany Christensen, including multi-share class structures, 351 conversions, ETF launches by larger asset managers, and continued innovation in fixed income ETFs.
Key takeaways
- Cynthia Murphy said advisers remain surprisingly bullish, with 63% expecting the S&P 500 to be 10% or more higher in 2026.
- The survey suggests fixed income positioning may shift toward the belly of the curve if short rates fall but inflation keeps longer yields elevated.
- The host said market concentration is not yet a major adviser concern, which helps explain continued demand for market-cap-weighted US ETFs.
- Brittany Christensen said 351 exchanges are now mainstream and are becoming a major path for advisers and managers bringing assets into ETF wrappers.
- Christensen expects fixed income ETF innovation to accelerate if rates decline and liquidity remains a key draw for institutional buyers.
Notable quotes
“63% said 10% % or more higher. Uh 23% said the market would be rangebound, the S&P 500 would be rangebound”
“the belly of the curve as the sweet spot. Uh so and by belly we're talking 3 to seven years roughly”
“what concerns your clients the most? Number one, market volatility with 48% of respondents”
“I actually think it's a high number that don't yet to like 50% don't. uh about 40% do”
“I don't think I can get through a single day without talking about 351”
How the episode opens
If you remember uh coming into 2025, I was already the the cl uh you know dark cloud with the thunder saying it's not going to happen again this year. It's markets are going to struggle and here we are another robust year. All right, joining me will be Britney Christensen, head of business development at Tidal Financial Group, who's a Fullervice white label ETF platform that currently manages over 350 ETFs in partnership with some 90 plus ETF issuers.
We're talking about over $50 billion in assets overall. And look, I know I'm always a broken record on this, but anytime I visit with someone like Britney who's at a white label issuer, I always say they have a front row seat to everything occurring in the industry because they're talking with new ETF issuers. They're having conversations with existing ETF issuers.
I just feel like they get to see where the uh opportunities exist in the ETF market. They also get to see where the pain points are, right? So, it's just such a unique perch in the industry and I'm looking forward to this.
We are going to walk through some of the big ETF stories Britney is watching heading into 2026. I think we have four or five of these to go through. Uh so, again, this should be a really nice preview of the year ahead in ETFs with somebody who does have that front row seat.
Now, to start this week, I'll be joined by Cynthia Murphy, investment strategist at Vetify, and we'll also be previewing the year ahead. Uh, however, we're going to be doing it through somewhat different lens because Cynthia's provided me with Vetifi's latest advisor survey data, which focuses on how advisers are viewing the financial markets as the calendar turns to the new year.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- etf stories to watch
- advisor survey data
- equities outlook
- fixed income outlook
- crypto outlook
Companies and tickers mentioned
- VettaFi
- Tidal Financial Group
Watch the episode
Watch “Top Market & ETF Stories to Watch in 2026” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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ETF Prime, this episode and its artwork belong to Nate Geraci. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
