Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are typically viewed as passive index trackers. In contrast, we show that corporate bond ETFs actively manage their portfolios, trading off index tracking against liquidity transformation. In our model, ETFs optimally choose creation and redemption baskets that...

Using novel contract-level data, we study the recent trend in open-end mutual funds investing in unicorns--highly valued, privately held start-ups--and the consequences of these investments for corporate governance provisions. Larger funds and those with more stable funding are more likely to...