ETF 101: Understanding the Basics
ETF 102: The Inner Workings of ETF Creations and Redemptions
ETF 103: Is This ETF Right for Your Portfolio?
ETF 104: Getting the Most Out of Your ETF Trades
ETF 105: Gaining Efficient Access to Bond Markets with Fixed Income ETFs
ETF 106: Debunking Fixed Income Myths
ETF 107: Passive vs. Active ETFs Explained

What Are the Primary and Secondary Markets for ETFs?

The secondary market, which includes the widely recognized securities exchanges, is where investors buy and sell existing shares of ETFs. For example, if you wish to buy 2,000 shares of an ETF, you typically place an order with a financial advisor and purchase those shares at market price from other sellers in the secondary market.

The primary market refers to where ETF share creations and redemptions take place in large, specified units, typically 50,000 shares or multiples thereof. It provides an additional “layer”, or source, of liquidity that can be accessed for large orders or when demand exceeds supply, or vice versa, on the secondary market. Typically, large financial institutions, authorized participants, and market makers1 transact in the primary market. Market makers buy and sell ETF shares in the secondary market to provide liquidity and may also serve as authorized participants.

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What Role Do Authorized Participants Play in ETFs?

Authorized participants (APs) are an important part of the creation and redemption process. Usually large broker-dealers or custodial institutions that have executed an agreement with the issuer, APs are the only entities that may transact directly with the ETF issuer and, as such, play a critical role in helping ensure fair pricing and ETF liquidity. When the secondary market price of an ETF falls out of line with its net asset value (NAV)², an AP may create or redeem shares of the ETF, bringing prices back in line with the NAV.

The ETF Share Creation Process

An ETF creation is when an AP delivers a basket of securities to the issuer in exchange for new ETF shares. When there are not enough ETF shares available on the secondary market to satisfy demand, an ETF may begin trading at a premium (its current market price is higher than its NAV). When this happens, an AP may step in and create new shares.

To create new passively managed ETF shares, the AP generally acquires shares in all of the underlying securities that compose the ETF, in the same proportions as the fund’s index. On the primary market, the AP then delivers this basket of securities to the ETF issuer, and in exchange, receives shares of the ETF in blocks known as creation units3. The AP then sells these ETF shares in the secondary market. The additional supply of shares tends to bring the ETF’s price back in line with its NAV.

The ETF Share Redemption Process

An ETF redemption is when an AP returns ETF shares to the issuer in exchange for the underlying securities. The creation process also works in reverse when demand is low. For example, let us imagine that an ETF begins trading at a discount (its current market price is lower than its NAV). The AP leaps into action, buying up 50,000 shares (in this example, one creation unit) of the discounted ETF on the secondary market and tendering these shares to the issuer for shares of the ETF’s underlying securities.

Redemptions reduce the number of ETF shares available on the secondary market. As a result, the discount shrinks or disappears as the ETF share price moves closer in line with its NAV.

Big Picture: ETF Creation vs Redemption

Why Can ETFs Be More Tax Efficient Than Mutual Funds?

When ETF shares are redeemed by the AP, they are typically tendered in kind to the ETF issuer. The ETF issuer is not selling any securities in this transaction, so the exchange is not viewed by the IRS as a taxable event. This allows ETF issuers to reduce what could otherwise be substantial capital gains taxes. The cost savings help keep expenses low for end investors and contribute to the well-known tax efficiency of the ETF structure.

A note on mutual funds: When mutual fund shares are redeemed by investors, the issuer often has to sell the underlying securities to raise cash, a potentially taxable event that can impact performance and trigger a capital gains distribution that can have tax implications for the remaining mutual fund shareholders.

The Two Sources of ETF Liquidity

So, there are actually two primary sources of ETF liquidity: the secondary or open market, consisting of shares bought and sold throughout the day, and the primary market managed by APs. Most ETF investors rely on secondary market liquidity.

Primary market liquidity draws on the liquidity of the underlying securities comprising the ETF. Very large trades can tap into the deeper liquidity source of the primary market, where large blocks of ETF shares can be either created or redeemed.

Conclusion

Creations and redemptions are critical to the structure and liquidity of ETFs, as well as key drivers of ETF tax efficiency. Through these twin mechanisms, the supply of ETF shares in the open market can be brought in line with demand, thus fairly pricing ETFs.