2026 ETF Trends Analysis: Multi-Strategy ETF Focus and Industry Growth

On December 15, 2025, Bloomberg’s “ETF IQ” segment hosted a discussion on 2026 ETF trends, focusing on multi-strategy ETFs by size, featuring experts Valerie Grimba (RBC Capital Markets, Director of Global ETF Strategy) and Jeffrey Rosenberg (BlackRock Systematic Fixed Income, Senior Portfolio Manager) [0]. While the episode’s transcript was unavailable at the time of analysis, context from related industry data and recent developments provides insight into the segment’s likely focus.

The broader ETF industry is experiencing a record year, with U.S.-listed ETFs attracting $1.27 trillion in inflows year-to-date through November 2025 [1], creating a strong backdrop for the growth of multi-strategy ETFs. Aligning with this trend, BlackRock launched the iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) on December 10, 2025— a multi-strategy liquid-alternatives ETF leveraging the firm’s systematic investing capabilities [1].

Short-term market impact was limited: BlackRock’s stock (BLK) closed down 0.49% at $1083.72, and RBC’s stock (RY) closed up 0.59% at $166.84 on December 15, 2025, with both stocks experiencing below-average trading volume [0]. This modest reaction is likely due to the episode’s recent airing and the unavailability of detailed discussion points.

1. Industry Growth and Multi-Strategy Focus
   : The record ETF inflows indicate strong investor demand for ETF products, which could drive adoption of multi-strategy ETFs in 2026. BlackRock’s IALT launch signals that major asset managers are prioritizing this segment as a growth area.
2. Limited Immediate Market Reaction
   : The lack of significant stock price movements or volume changes for BLK and RY suggests that the event’s content had not been fully digested by investors at the time of analysis, likely because the episode’s transcript was not yet public.
3. Need for Transcript Context
   : Without the specific trends and recommendations discussed by the guests, a comprehensive assessment of 2026 ETF strategy implications is constrained, highlighting the importance of monitoring future transcript releases or follow-up analyses.

• Opportunities
  :
  • The robust ETF inflow backdrop supports potential growth for multi-strategy ETFs as investors seek diversified investment options.
  • Major asset managers like BlackRock entering the multi-strategy ETF space may enhance product credibility and investor interest.
• Risks
  :
  • Product Complexity
    : Multi-strategy ETFs involve greater complexity than traditional ETFs, which could increase operational and investment risks for less experienced investors [1].
  • Flow Volatility
    : ETFs can experience sharp flow swings, as demonstrated by BlackRock’s IBIT (spot bitcoin ETF) which recorded a $523 million single-day withdrawal in November 2025—multi-strategy ETFs could face similar volatility if market sentiment shifts [1].
  • Regulatory Scrutiny
    : Increased regulatory focus on complex ETF products could impact their growth and operational flexibility.

This analysis synthesizes available data on the December 15, 2025 Bloomberg ETF IQ segment and related industry developments:

• The segment focused on 2026 ETF trends, particularly multi-strategy ETFs, with guest experts from RBC and BlackRock.
• The ETF industry has seen record U.S.-listed inflows ($1.27 trillion YTD through November 2025), supporting the growth of multi-strategy ETFs.
• BlackRock launched the IALT multi-strategy ETF on December 10, 2025, aligning with the segment’s focus.
• BLK and RY shares showed modest price movements with below-average volume on the event date, indicating limited immediate market impact.
• Risk factors include product complexity, flow volatility, and potential regulatory scrutiny.
• A key information gap is the lack of the episode’s transcript, which limits detailed insight into the guests’ specific recommendations and trend forecasts.

Note: This summary provides informational context and does not include investment recommendations.