ETFGI: The Global ETF Industry Marks Its 36th Anniversary, Celebrating More Than Three Decades Of Innovation Since The Launch Of The World’s First ETF

The global ETF industry marks its 36th anniversary, celebrating more than three decades of innovation since the launch of the world’s first exchange-traded fund. On March 9, 1990, the Toronto Index Participation Shares (TIPS) were listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, tracking the TSE 35 Index, laying the foundation for a product that has transformed how investors access markets. From that single listing, ETFs have evolved into a cornerstone of global investing—offering transparency, liquidity, cost efficiency, and broad market access—and today span equities, fixed income, commodities, Active strategies, and digital assets across markets worldwide.

As the ETF industry marked its 36th anniversary, assets invested in the ETFs industry in Canada reached a record US$648.52 billion. During February the ETFs industry in Canada gathered net inflows of US$17.49 billion during February, bringing year-to-date net inflows to a record US$36.98 billion, according to the ETFGI February 2026 Canadian ETFs and ETPs industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service. ETFGI is a 14 year old leading independent research and consultancy firm renowned for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, events, and ETF TV on global ETF industry trends. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)

Highlights

• The global ETF industry marked its 36th anniversary, commemorating the launch of the world’s first ETF, which was listed in Canada on March 9, 1990.
• Assets invested in the Canadian ETF industry reached a record $648.52 billion at the end of February 2026, surpassing the previous high of $563.08 billion recorded in December 2025.
• Total assets have increased by 11.0% year‑to‑date in 2026, rising from $584.47 billion at year‑end 2025 to $648.52 billion.
• Net inflows of $17.49 billion were recorded in February 2026.
• Year‑to‑date net inflows of $36.98 billion represent the highest level on record, exceeding the previous highs of $15.26 billion in 2025 and $9.44 billion in 2020.
• February 2026 marked the 44th consecutive month of net inflows into Canadian ETFs.

“The S&P 500 declined by 0.76% in February and was up 0.68% year‑to‑date in 2026. Developed markets excluding the U.S. rose 6.03% during February and were up 12.55% year‑to‑date, with Korea (up 20.11%) and Luxembourg (up 16.61%) recording the strongest gains among developed markets for the month. Emerging markets increased by 2.47% in February and were up 8.11% year‑to‑date, led by Thailand (up 19.48%) and Taiwan (up 11.63%),” said Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner, Founder, and Owner of ETFGI.

Growth in Canadian ETF assets as of the end of February

The ETF industry in Canada had 1,515 ETFs, with 1,907 listings, assets of $648.52 Bn, from 50 providers on 2 exchanges at the end of February.

RBC iShares is the largest ETF provider in Canada by assets, with $179.74 billion, representing a 27.7% market share. BMO Asset Management ranks second, managing $128.17 billion in assets and holding a 19.8% market share, followed by Vanguard with $105.51 billion and a 16.3% market share. Collectively, the top three providers account for 63.7% of total assets invested in the Canadian ETF industry. The remaining 47 providers each hold less than 6% market share.

Highlights for net flows

• ETFs gathered net inflows of $17.49 billion in February.
• Equity ETFs recorded $7.54 billion in net inflows during February, bringing year‑to‑date inflows through February 2026 to $17.25 billion, compared with $4.68 billion at the same point in 2025.
• Fixed income ETFs attracted $2.65 billion in net inflows in February, lifting year‑to‑date inflows to $4.99 billion, versus $1.70 billion by the end of February 2025.
• Active ETFs gathered $6.53 billion in net inflows during February, bringing year‑to‑date inflows in Canada to $8.35 billion, in line with the level reported at the same point in 2025.
• Crypto ETFs reported $156 million in net inflows in February, raising year‑to‑date inflows to $168 million, up from $90 million year‑to‑date in 2025.

Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs by net new assets, which collectively gathered $7.56 Bn during February. iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC CN) gathered $1.45 Bn, the largest individual net inflow.

Top 20 ETFs by net new assets February

Investors have tended to invest in Equity ETFs during February.