The number of ETFs being held by the number of institutions, according to a Barclays Global Investors report, has increased by 12% in 2008, Asia Asset Management reports. A total of 2,926 institutional investors worldwide during 2008 had registered using at least one ETF.

The number of institutional investors over 11 years has increased by 1,673%, emphasizing the growing trend of the instrument being more prominent in investors’ portfolios. Investment advisors bought ETFs on a major scale, accounting for 74% of institutional users, while hedge fund comprised 15%.

Click here for the story from Asia Asset Management.