Goldman Sachs to buy Innovator Capital Management in push to grow its ETF lineup

Key Takeaways

• Goldman Sachs is acquiring Innovator Capital Management to expand its ETF lineup, adding $28 billion in assets under supervision.
• The deal positions Goldman Sachs as a top ten active ETF provider, enhancing their offerings in the fast-growing defined outcome ETF category.

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Goldman Sachs has reached a deal to buy Innovator Capital Management, a prominent asset manager specializing in defined outcome ETFs, to strengthen its active ETF offerings, according to a Monday announcement.

The transaction, valued at about $2 billion in cash and equity, is expected to close in Q2 2026 pending regulatory approval.

Innovator’s 159 defined outcome ETFs represent approximately $28 billion in assets under management, all of which will be added to Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s ETF lineup through the acquisition.

With active ETFs growing rapidly, Goldman says Innovator’s products and distribution strength complement its long-term strategy to lead in high-growth investment segments.

“Active ETFs are dynamic, transformative, and have been one of the fastest-growing segments in today’s public investment landscape,” said Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon. “By acquiring Innovator, Goldman Sachs will expand access to modern, world-class investment products for investor portfolios.”

As part of the agreement, Innovator’s leadership team and more than 60 employees will join Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which will oversee more than 215 ETF strategies globally after the acquisition.

“This transaction is a pivotal milestone for our business,” said Bruce Bond, CEO of Innovator. “Goldman Sachs has a long history of discerning emerging trends and important directional shifts within the asset management industry. We are excited to deliver world-class investment solutions to clients within the ETF framework and expand our business in this high-growth, sector-leading category.”

Defined outcome ETFs are funds designed to offer predetermined ranges of returns over a set period using options-based strategies. These products are popular with investors who prefer transparent, rules-based strategies that help manage risk, smooth volatility, and target specific portfolio objectives.

While Innovator Capital Management mainly focuses on defined outcome ETFs, it has responded to growing demand for crypto exposure with innovative structured ETFs like the Innovator Uncapped Bitcoin 20 Floor ETF (QBF), which gives investors exposure to Bitcoin with a risk-managed strategy.