Research > ETFs > ETF / ETP Commentary > 

VettaFi Named Best U.S. Index Overall Provider at 2026 ETF Express Awards

VettaFi has been recognized as the Best U.S. Index Overall Provider at the ETF Express U.S. ETF Awards 2026, building on a standout year of index innovation, strategic acquisitions, and product milestone growth across the ETP landscape.Key Takeaways VettaFi earned top honors as Best U.S. Index Overall Provider at the ETF Express U.S. ETF Awards 2026, reflecting major index expansion across core equity, defense, infrastructure, and energy benchmark offerings. Index-linked products achieved massive milestone growth, including the VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO B+) reaching $10 billion in AUM after doubling assets year to date. Strategic partnerships and indexing enhancements expanded across major issuer suites, including Schwab’s RAFI fundamental strategies and ALPS’ equal sector weight implementation. Index Partnerships Drive ETF Asset Milestones“Winning best index provider is a huge honor that really reflects the hard work our team has put into becoming a unique index partner, not just an index provider,” said Dalton Easterwood, head of index product at VettaFi. “We’ve had an incredible 12 months expanding our index business. Seeing the industry recognize our growth and product innovation makes me proud of everything we’ve built together.” Eric Klein, senior index product developer, and Nandhini Sridhar, index product developer, accepted the award on behalf of VettaFi at the ETF Express U.S. ETF Awards 2026 on October 22. The industry recognition follows impressive momentum for ETFs linked to VettaFi indices. Following strong investor interest in disciplined valuation and fundamental screens, the VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) doubled its assets under management year to date, crossing $10 billion. Similarly, Schwab’s suite of fundamental index strategies built on RAFI™ Indices benchmarks achieved record asset levels. Both the Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF (FNDX A) and the Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) surged to $25 billion in assets. Meanwhile, the Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity ETF (FNDE A) climbed to $10 billion in total assets.Strategic Expansion & Benchmark InnovationBeyond overall asset growth, VettaFi continues to bolster its offerings in key areas through targeted thematic exposures and strategic acquisitions, including the RAFI™ Fundamental Indices and the Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation (GLIO) family. VettaFi also expanded its well-established expertise in energy and defense with the Range index family, which spans uranium, nuclear, and coal, as well as The SPADE® Defense Index.Institutional Collaborations & Custom ETF FrameworksAdditionally, VettaFi continues to develop custom index frameworks designed to help investors generate alpha and navigate evolving market conditions. The launch of the REX Drone ETF (DRNZ) established a unique concept as the market’s first pure-play drone ETF, providing focused exposure across autonomous technology and defense innovation. Furthermore, institutional collaborations continue to modernize legacy industry frameworks. Through a partnership with Modelist, the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL B) executed a pivotal index switch, moving from holding underlying sector ETFs to directly selecting individual securities within VettaFi’s custom index frameworks. For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Thematic Investing Content Hub. VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for VFLO, FNDX, FNDF, FNDE, DRNZ, and EQL, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, VFLO, FNDX, FNDF, FNDE, DRNZ, and EQL are not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of VFLO, FNDX, FNDF, FNDE, DRNZ, and EQL.

Performance data shown is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. Yield and return will vary, therefore you have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. For standard quarterly performance, go to the fund's Snapshot page by clicking on the ETF/ETP's symbol.

ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

For iShares ETFs, Fidelity receives compensation from the ETF sponsor and/or its affiliates in connection with an exclusive long-term marketing program that includes promotion of iShares ETFs and inclusion of iShares funds in certain FBS platforms and investment programs. Please note, this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation can be found in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Fidelity may add or waive commissions on ETFs without prior notice. BlackRock and iShares are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

FBS receives compensation from the fund's advisor or its affiliates in connection with a marketing program that includes the promotion of this security and other ETFs to customers ("Marketing Program"). The Marketing Program creates incentives for FBS to encourage the purchase of certain ETFs. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation is in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Please note that this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral.

News, commentary (including "Related Symbols") and events are from third-party sources unaffiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt their content. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use.

Any data, charts and other information provided on this page are intended to help self-directed investors evaluate exchange traded products (ETPs), including, but limited to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). Criteria and inputs entered, including the choice to make ETP comparisons, are at the sole discretion of the user and are solely for the convenience of the user. Analyst opinions, ratings and reports are provided by third-parties unaffiliated with Fidelity. All information supplied or obtained from this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or guidance, an offer of or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell a particular security, or a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity of any security or investment strategy. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating ETPs. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use. Determine which securities are right for you based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and other individual factors and re-evaluate them on a periodic basis.

Before investing in any exchange traded product, you should consider its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus, offering circular or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.