Rocky markets with lots of macro uncertainty have investors looking harder for diversification. While private assets are drawing attention, a quieter corner of the alternatives world — managed futures ETFs — has quietly surged in popularity. 

Funds like the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and the Invesco Managed Futures Strategy ETF (IMF) have each attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in new inflows this year. 

These strategies follow market trends across asset classes, taking long and short positions in commodities, rates, currencies, and sometimes equities. Their key appeal lies in their historically low correlation to both stocks and bonds, making them useful portfolio diversifiers. 

Finsum: With investors searching for tools to steady returns in volatile markets, managed futures ETFs are stepping into the spotlight as timely complements to traditional allocations.