Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) made a big announcement this week, touting $100 billion in total ETF AUM. The milestone comes following the firm’s recent acquisition of Innovator ETFs adding several notable funds to the firm’s overall roster. Together, the $100 billion threshold lifts GSAM further into the upper echelon of ETF asset managers amid growing demand for a diverse list of ETFs.

Key Takeaways:

• The ETF ecosystem continues to see major AUM growth, with Goldman Sachs Asset Management crossing $100 billion in AUM.
• The firm recently acquired Innovator ETFs. In doing so, it added to its ETF AUM total with that firm’s brand of income and defensive ETFs.
• The new AUM total may position GSAM for greater attention in the medium term.

The announcement, made by Goldman Sachs Asset Management Global Co-Head of Third Party Wealth & Chief Transformation Officer Bryon Lake at a GSAM media event, comes amid significant demand for some of the firm’s key ETFs. For example, the ETF operators’ income ETFs have picked up some serious interest. 

The Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF (GPIQ) has added more than $3 billion in net inflows according to ETF Database data. Its S&P 500-flavored partner, the Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) has also exceeded $3 billion, coming in just under GPIQ. 

The strategies apply an options overlay strategy wherein the ETFs’ active managers identify various equities to sell options on from their respective indexes. Both will hit their key three-year ETF milestones this fall, as well, potentially prepping them for a surge in momentum.

See more: Innovator ETFs CIO Day Talks Goldman Sachs Acquisition, Future Options ETFs

The firm’s ETF AUM total grew significantly when it added Innovator ETFs in April. That addition added more than $30 billion to GSAM’s total. The firm brings several downside protection strategies to the ETF wrapper, including its largest, BALT. 

The Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF (BALT) comes to GSAM’s suite with just under $2.5 billion in AUM, according to ETF Database data. The strategy charges 69 basis points to participate in the S&P 500’s movement with capped upside while buffering the first 15–20% decline. 

BALT and other ETFs like it add a new flavor of fund to Goldman Sachs’ ETFs. The firm’s new AUM threshold marks a big moment for its stature in the ETF ecosystem. Indeed, it’s momentous for ETFs overall, as competition for investor attention grows apace. 

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