Morgan Stanley files for next round of ETFs

Morgan Stanley files for next round of ETFs
The firm is launching three fixed-income exchange-traded funds bearing the Eaton Vance name, in addition to a Parametric ETF.
JUL 24, 2023

Morgan Stanley is seeking to launch its next wave of exchange-traded funds after reentering the industry in February, nearly three decades after helping to birth the now $7.5 trillion industry. 

Applications for the Eaton Vance Ultra-Short Income ETF, the Eaton Vance High Yield ETF and the Eaton Vance Intermediate Municipal Income ETF landed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, filings show, in addition to an application for the Parametric Dividend Premium Income ETF. Morgan Stanley’s purchase of Eaton Vance — and thus Parametric Portfolio Associates — closed in 2021.

Morgan Stanley was one of a handful of major financial firms without a presence in the ETF arena up until this February, when it launched its first six modern-day ETFs after being home to some of the world’s first such products in the 1990s. Those debuts were the “first step in a series,” Morgan Stanley global head of ETFs Anthony Rochte said at the time, leading to Monday’s applications. So far, its six environmental, social and governance-focused ETFs have accumulated nearly $400 million in assets.

While Eaton Vance is well-known in the fixed-income world, it’s entering into a saturated market, according to Bloomberg Intelligence,

“I personally like Eaton Vance. It’s got a great brand in fixed income, but there are a lot of short-duration ETFs,” Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Athanasios Psarofagis said. “So it’s a good brand in a crowded space.”

Tickers and fees for the proposed funds were not yet listed.

What's driving the boom in active ETFs? Will it last?

Latest News

Investors wins lawsuit against Atlanta B-D over tax shelter investment, potentially a first
Investors wins lawsuit against Atlanta B-D over tax shelter investment, potentially a first

InvestmentNews reported in 2017 that the IRS was scrutinizing the tax shelter land deals, called syndication conservation easements.

Pontera unveils non-discretionary advice tools in continued retirement platform buildout
Pontera unveils non-discretionary advice tools in continued retirement platform buildout

Advisors gain a second workflow for 401(k) guidance as the fintech expands beyond bulk rebalancing, backed by new policy research on advice access.

HSA balances hit record high, but are clients using them wrong?
HSA balances hit record high, but are clients using them wrong?

New data shows most people do not have enough saved to cover costs and are not fully utilizing their accounts.

Advisor moves: LPL, Cetera, Raymond James, NewEdge Wealth
Advisor moves: LPL, Cetera, Raymond James, NewEdge Wealth

Firms announce new recruits this week, with teams overseeing hundreds of millions in client assets switching affiliations.

Stratos Wealth adds $400M with RPI Financial Life Planners
Stratos Wealth adds $400M with RPI Financial Life Planners

It’s the 12th deal for Stratos since SEI's investment and follows 11 acquisitions worth $4.8B in 2025.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income