State Street Global Advisors has released a new report titled, SPDR ETF Outlook―Taking Aim at 2011, which offers insights into recent developments in the exchange traded funds industry and the trends expected to shape asset flows in 2011.

According to the report, ETF industry assets in the United States reached a record $995 billion at the end of 2010, as net new inflows exceeded $100 billion for the fourth consecutive year. Exchange traded fund investors distributed their investments across several asset classes including fixed income, international, dividend and commodities during the year.

“As awareness of core benefits of ETFs grows, they are becoming the preferred choice of a growing number of institutional, professional and retail investors,” said Tom Anderson, global head of ETF strategy and research at State Street Global Advisors.

“Looking ahead to 2011, we expect to see investors increase their exposure to non-correlated asset classes and high dividend paying stocks using ETFs to implement strategies designed to improve their risk-return profile and generate a steady source of income amid an improving economic backdrop.”

Among the key themes highlighted in SPDR ETF Outlook―Taking Aim at 2011 are:

• Continued growth of ETF industry assets;
  
• Insights into how investors are evaluating ETFs;
  
• Implications of the Flash Crash;
  
• Potential growth of non-US exposure in investor’s portfolios; and
  
• Outlook for dividend, actively managed, and “real assets” ETFs in 2011.