## [# Why Morgan Stanley Is Back in the ETF Game ](/sections/features/why-morgan-stanley-back-etf-game)
# Why Morgan Stanley Is Back in the ETF Game
Global Head of ETFs Anthony Rochte details the firm’s comeback.
[](/authors/nils-kuehn)
[By Nils Kuehn](/authors/nils-kuehn)
May 15, 2023
Edited by: Sean Allocca
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Morgan Stanley has decided to reenter the exchange-traded fund business after 25 years, introducing a suite of new funds under its Calvert Research brand this past February, and it plans to launch more in the near future.
The initial phase of the launch is a build-out of an ETF platform with the objective of being multi-asset class, equity and fixed income, multibrand and multijurisdiction, according to Anthony Rochte, global head of ETFs for the firm.
In 2020, Morgan Stanley acquired Eaton Vance Funds, from which the company bolstered its active fixed income and equity brand, and has also picked up customization and separately managed accounts from Eaton Vance’s Parametric brand, and environmental, social and governance from Calvert.
One of the main reasons behind Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of Calvert Research and reentry into ETFs is Calvert’s strong presence in ESG, which will be the company’s main branding initially.
## **Providing Choice**
“The rationale and the logic to do this is to provide choice: choice for institutional investors that we serve around the globe; choice for financial advisors and wealth managers; and registered investment advisors, and even the self-directed through e-trade,” Rochte said during the [latest episode of Talk ETFs podcast](https://www.etf.com/sections/features/why-morgan-stanley-back-etf-business-after-25-years).
While the launch will initially be focused on the U.S., there are plans to eventually include Europe and the rest of the world.
Rochte also stressed that the company’s focus is on active management, noting that SEC Rule 6011, enacted in 2019, allows for more active managers to enter the ETF space.
“We’ve seen an acceleration of growth in active transparent fixed income ETFs, certainly on the shorter-duration spectrum in full-year 2022,” Rochte said. “So we’re very optimistic about active management in the ETF universe—certainly here in the U.S. and, I think, longer term in Europe. But the trend is real today in terms of active transparent ETFs.”
As of the end of 2022, the firm manages more than $1.3 trillion in assets, servicing wealth managers and advisors through Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, government entities, sovereign wealth funds and pension plans around the world. The company also serves self-directed investors through e-trade platforms.
With its focus on active management through its Morgan Stanley Investor Management and specifically on ESG, the company is taking an aggressive position in the market and could become a major player in the ETF space for years to come.
*Contact Nils Kuehn at* [ *editorial@etf.com*](mailto:%E2%80%AFeditorial@etf.com)
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[ Nils Kuehn ](/authors/nils-kuehn)
Nils Kuehn has been a writer for over 35 years. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he moved to the West Coast during the dot.com bubble… [View Bio](/authors/nils-kuehn)
Related Topics [Active Management](http://www.etf.com/topics/active-management)
[ESG](http://www.etf.com/topics/esg)
[Fixed Income](http://www.etf.com/topics/fixed-income)
[Equity](http://www.etf.com/topics/equity)
[Advisor Center](http://www.etf.com/topics/advisor-center-0)