Natixis Investment Managers is preparing to enter Europe’s active ETF market under its own brand, becoming the latest large asset manager to move into a segment that is attracting growing interest from traditional active fund groups.
As reported by ETF Stream, Natixis has been filing for upcoming own-brand ETFs in Europe, marking a further step into an increasingly competitive active ETF market. The move comes as several other established managers are also preparing European active ETF launches, or have already launched in the sector.
Momentum in the market has continued into 2026. Morningstar data shows that 36 active ETFs were launched in Europe in the first quarter of the year, with no closures recorded over the period. Equity strategies accounted for the largest share of new launches, followed by fixed income and allocation funds.
Natixis’ planned entry highlights the competitive pressure facing asset managers that have historically relied on mutual funds. For many groups, active ETFs are no longer simply a product extension, but a way of reaching investors who increasingly prefer lower-cost, exchange-traded and more transparent fund structures.
The question is whether newer entrants can gain meaningful scale in a market that has so far been led by a relatively small number of providers. JPMorgan Asset Management has been the dominant force in European active ETFs, helped by strong demand for its research-enhanced equity strategies. However, the arrival of more large asset management brands is broadening the market and giving investors a wider choice of approaches.
For these investors, the expansion of active ETFs means more choice, but also more need for scrutiny. Active ETF strategies can differ widely, from low-tracking-error enhanced index products to more concentrated, higher-conviction portfolios.
Comment
David Batchelor, senior analyst at QuotedData, said: “Natixis’ planned move into European active ETFs is another sign that the industry’s centre of gravity is shifting. Active managers increasingly see the ETF wrapper as a necessary part of their distribution toolkit.
That should be positive for investors, provided the products offer something genuinely useful. More competition could bring broader choice, sharper pricing and better access to active strategies through platforms used by retail investors. However, it also raises the risk of a crowded market, where some launches are driven more by the perceived need to have an ETF range than by clear investor demand.
The important distinction will be between active ETFs that bring a clear, understandable role to a portfolio and those that simply repackage existing strategies in a new wrapper. As the market grows, investors will need to focus less on whether a fund is labelled active and more on what kind of active exposure they are actually getting”.
