iShares reports record year

GLOBAL - Barclays Global Investors (BGI) has reported record inflows into its iShares exchange traded fund (ETF) platform during 2008 but warned investors were concerned with greater transparency over 2009. The company said end of year inflows in Europe totalled €17.8bn (US$bn), compared to 5.8bn in 2007, an increase of over 300%. Globally, the company said it had $89bn of new inflows over the year, compared to $70bn in 2007. iShares said investor sentiment had shifted, with particular emphasis on counterparty risk and a strong desire for liquidity and transparency. Rory Tobin, CEO of...