ETFs attract 61,000 new investors in H1 2026
Index trackers outpaced individual stocks in new investor acquisition during the first half of 2026, with younger demographics driving the shift.
Approximately 61,000 investors opened their first ETF positions in the first half of 2026. This figure exceeds the 43,000 new entrants into individual shares by 18,000. The data indicates a clear preference for passive index tracking among first-time market participants.
Bonds attracted the fewest new investors, with a count of roughly 9,000. The gap between ETFs and bonds is significant, highlighting the dominance of equity-based instruments in new capital flows. These figures were reported by GN auto markets/indices: stock index.
Younger investors favor index trackers
Demographic data shows a distinct age divide between ETF and share traders. The median age for first-time ETF traders was 39 years in 2025. In contrast, the median age for first-time share traders was 45 years. This six-year gap suggests ETFs are more accessible to younger demographics.
Experienced traders also skew younger in the ETF space. The median age for active ETF traders aged 43 in 2025. For active share traders, the median age was 54. The disparity confirms that index funds remain the preferred vehicle for younger investors.
Shares retain larger active user base
Despite the influx of new ETF users, individual shares remain the most actively traded asset class. In the first quarter of 2026, 248,000 investors traded shares. This group executed 1.91 million transactions. ETF activity was lower, with 180,000 investors completing 760,000 transactions.
Bond trading volume remained minimal across both quarters. Only 18,000 investors traded bonds in the first quarter. The number of bond transactions stood at 28,000. These figures underscore the limited engagement with fixed-income products among retail investors.
Seasonal dip in trading activity
Trading volume declined in the second quarter of 2026. The FSMA notes that seasonal appetite for investment is lower during this period. Active share investors dropped to 230,000, with transaction volume falling to 1.68 million.
ETF participation held relatively steady despite the seasonal slowdown. Approximately 179,000 investors traded ETFs in the second quarter. The transaction count decreased slightly to 722,000. Bond activity also slowed, with 15,000 investors executing 23,000 transactions.
