Media Release
Advisers becoming ‘deliberate and strategic’ about ETF allocations
18 February 2026
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are entering a new phase of adoption among financial advisers and their clients, moving beyond the traditional perception of passive index-tracking tools, according to Global X ETFs.
Manny Damianakis, Head of Sales at Global X ETFs, said financial advisers are increasingly constructing portfolios with ETFs in a way that reflects active decision-making and conviction, rather than passive allocation.
“Some investors still prefer to simply buy the index, but what we are seeing more of across the adviser community is a far more proactive approach to portfolio design,” Mr Damianakis said.
“Advisers and their clients are using ETFs deliberately and strategically to express views, manage risk, and access opportunities that previously required individual stock picking.”
Mr Damianakis, who has worked in the advice industry for over 25 years, pointed to the current ASX earnings season where wild price movements have underscored the volatility and idiosyncratic risks that come with holding individual stocks.
“Earnings season has been a reminder of how volatile single-stock positions can be. We’ve seen big selloffs in names like CSL, Cochlear and AMP,” he said. “Australians still love investing in shares, but a growing number of advisers are choosing ETFs as a way to avoid that concentrated risk while still maintaining targeted market exposure.”
One of the strongest areas of ETF demand comes from thematic strategies and commodities, including gold and copper.
January saw the Global X Copper Miners ETF (WIRE) attract $104 million in flows, marking its strongest month on record, with much of the demand coming from financial advisers.
“Instead of picking one from a handful of ASX-listed copper miners and hoping for the best, advisers are allocating to diversified exposures like WIRE,” Mr Damianakis said. “They’re diversifying across geographies and business models, which is incredibly difficult to achieve with direct shares alone,” he said.
“We have seen this trend play out with the defence sector as well. Rather than trying to pick the next DroneShield, advisers are looking at our DTEC ETF to access a basket of global companies involved in defence innovation.”
Mr Damianakis believes the evolution of ETF usage represents a major shift in portfolio construction preferences over the past decade.
“Until recently, advisers were weighing up ETFs versus active managers,” he said. “Today, ETFs are increasingly replacing individual stock ownership altogether.
“Active managers still have a place, particularly in alternatives or private assets, but ETFs are becoming the core building blocks of modern portfolios.”
For All Media Queries
Please contact James Mitchell, Global X Australia | +61 413 619 034 | james.mitchell@globalxetfs.com.au
About Global X ETFs Australia
Global X ETFs Australia is a leading ETF provider with a growing range of cost-effective and innovation-led products which are built to help Australian investors achieve their investment outcomes by providing access to a successful pool of ETFs across thematics, income, commodities, digital assets and more. Global X Australia’s nuanced understanding of the local market is backed by international resources and expertise to deliver a beyond ordinary experience for all stakeholders.
About Global X ETFs
Global X ETFs was founded in 2008. For more than a decade, our mission has been empowering investors with unexplored and intelligent solutions. Our product lineup features almost 400 ETF strategies worldwide and over US$132 billion in assets under management1. While we are distinguished for our Thematic Growth, Income, and International Access ETFs, we also offer Core, Commodity, and Alpha funds to suit a wide range of investment objectives.
Global X is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global leader in financial services, with more than US$754 billion in assets under management worldwide2. Mirae Asset has an extensive global ETF platform ranging across the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam with over US$198 billion in assets under management.3
1. Assets under management as at November 2025, Global X
2 Assets under management as at September 2025, Mirae Asset Financial Group
3 Assets under management as at November 2025, Mirae Asset Global Investments
Disclaimer
Issued by Global X Management (AUS) Limited (‘Global X’) (AFSL 466778, ACN 150 433 828). Global X Physical Gold (GOLD), Silver (ETPMAG), Platinum (ETPMPT), Palladium (ETPMPD) and Precious Metals Basket (ETPMPM) are issued by Global X Metal Securities Australia Limited, a corporate authorised representative (CAR No: 001274650) under Global X. This is general information only and not personal advice. This communication doesn't consider your personal circumstances or needs. Investors should consider whether these products are appropriate for them, obtain financial advice and read the product disclosure statement (PDS), prospectus (as applicable) and target market determination (TMD) before making investment decisions. All PDSs, prospectuses and TMDs are available on our website: www.globalxetfs.com.au. Investment in any products are subject to risks, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This content may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any recipient for any purpose. Global X nor any of its affiliates make any warranty as to the accuracy of any data used or displayed in this communication or to the performance of any product.