The global exchange-traded fund and exchange-traded product industry went from strength to strength in 2014, reaching a new record level of $2.79trn in assets invested in 5,580 ETFs/ETPs, with 10,770 listings, from 239 providers listed on 62 exchanges in 49 countries. 

There were $61.5bn in net new asset inflows in December, the largest net new asset month on record. Net inflows of $338.3bn for 2014 are a new record beating previous full year net inflows.

"We expect the assets to break through the $3trn milestone in the first half of 2015," said said Deborah Fuhr, managing partner of ETFGI. 

“The $338.3bn of net new assets gathered by ETFs/ETPs globally in 2014 demonstrates that ETFs have become a preferred tool for many types of investors to implement and adjust their asset allocation."

The US market outperformed other developed markets in 2014 marking the third year of double digit gains with the S&P500 ending the year up 14%. 

Emerging markets gained 1% while developed markets were down 4% for the year.

During 2014 twenty-nine new providers listed their first ETF/ETP. There were 239 providers of ETFs/ETPs at the end of 2014. 

The top 3 providers iShares, SPDR and Vanguard have seen their combined global market share increase from 69.9% to 70.5%. Vanguard’s market share has increased from 14.2% to 16%, SPDRs market share has remained stable at 17.3% while iShares has declined to 37.2% from 38.4%.

The number of ETFs/ETPs that have over $1bn in assets has increased during 2014 to 691. There has been an increase in new product launches by more providers in 2014 than in 2013.

S&P Dow Jones has the largest amount of ETF/ETP assets tracking its benchmarks reflecting 30.6% market share; MSCI is second with a 13.5% market share, followed by Barclays with 9% market share.