Insights

2025 ETFs in Focus Study Risk Management Attitudes and Behaviors

What’s keeping investors up at night? And how are they managing risk now? Get fresh insights from our latest research study.

Get the Results

500 individual investors and 200 financial advisors share their top investing concerns and how they’re managing risk now, including the role alternatives play in their portfolios.

Get Study Findings

Sneak Preview What’s Inside

Do Investors Feel Informed About Risk?
Just over half say they do (55%). Self-directed investors and those with less than $250k in investable assets feel less informed — meaning advisors may play a vital role in helping investors understand the risks affecting their portfolios.

What risk management strategies do investors use most?

Find Out

Unlock More Survey Insights

Our 2025 ETFs in Focus Study zeros in on risk management attitudes and behaviors across US individual investors and advisors — and is jam-packed with insights on:

1

Investor economic sentiment, globally and locally

2

Perceived portfolio risks over the next 12 months

3

Portfolio construction trends to mitigate risk

4

Confidence with risk management strategies

5

Use of alternative investing strategies

6

And much more!

Dig into the survey findings today.

Download Now

Top ETF Trends and Bold Predictions

Get your copy of this report to uncover the top ETF trends and innovative strategies helping investors adapt to new terrain and build resilience for the future.

Get the Report

About the Survey

For over 30 years, State Street Global Advisors has led ETF innovation, shaping the evolution of index and active investing. The ETF Impact Series explores ETFs’ evolving role in portfolio construction, risk perceptions, and investor behavior. Conducted biannually since 2022, this applied research delivers timely insights into the ETF landscape and key trends shaping portfolio decisions.

Our 2025 ETFs in Focus: Risk Management Attitudes and Behaviors builds on this foundation with a focused look at ETFs as tools for managing risk, conducted online from January through February 2025 by State Street Global Advisors Research Center in partnership with A2Bplanning and Prodege.

Individual Investors:

Financial Advisors:

Important Risk Disclosures

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.

The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSGA's express written consent.

This communication is not intended to be an investment recommendation or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.

All information is from SSGA unless otherwise noted and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor.

All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.

The views expressed in this material are the views of the State Street Global Advisors Research Center through the period ended May 5, 2025 are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The opinions expressed may differ from those with different investment philosophies. The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon.

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETFs net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.

The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use by State Street Global Advisors. S&P®, SPDR®, S&P 500®,US 500 and the 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”) and has been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P DJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by State Street Global Advisors. The fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P DJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of these indices.

In general, ETFs can be expected to move up or down in value with the value of the applicable index. Although ETF shares may be bought and sold on the exchange through any brokerage account, ETF shares are not individually redeemable from the Fund. Investors may acquire ETFs and tender them for redemption through the Fund in Creation Unit Aggregations only. Please see the prospectus for more details.

The trademarks and service marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Third party data providers make no warranties or representations of any kind relating to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the data and have no liability for damages of any kind relating to the use of such data.

This communication is not intended to be an investment recommendation or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such.