VettaFi Completed Acquisition of RAFI Indices
The firm expanded its indexing platform by adding 90 indexes and $180 billion in tracked assets.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Investing
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In July 2026, the financial firm VettaFi finalized its acquisition of RAFI Indices. This deal adds 90 indexes and $180 billion in assets to the company's existing platform, which now manages over $260 billion in total assets.
Why it matters
VettaFi sought this acquisition as a strategic move to broaden its indexing capabilities beyond its traditional focus on thematic and sector-specific offerings. The integration aims to combine its existing proprietary technology with the performance-focused design of the newly acquired indices.
VettaFi now oversees over 2,000 indexes representing more than $260 billion in assets. Historical data shows the RAFI US index added 2% to 2.5% in annual alpha, with the FNDX fund returning 400% over 13 years compared to 280% for the IWD benchmark.
The players
VettaFi
A financial indexing firm that provides data, media, and technology services for investment professionals and asset management.
RAFI Indices
A provider of index strategies that focus on fundamental factors to attempt to improve long-term investment outcomes.
The details
VettaFi integrates its index design capabilities with a media and data network to manage its platform. The company utilizes its proprietary Index Factory technology to support the newly acquired indices. This expansion marks a shift toward a more comprehensive global reach, with plans to grow these efforts across Europe, EMEA, South America, and APAC in the coming one to two years.
Timeline
Research Affiliates was founded in 2002.
The acquisition was announced in June 2026.
The acquisition closed in July 2026.
Money Landscape
This deal aligns with a broader industry trend of consolidation among financial indexing and data providers seeking to scale platforms. It places VettaFi in a stronger competitive position as it expands its asset management footprint across global markets.
This shift in platform ownership may affect the range of index-based products available to investors in international markets over the next two years. Investors should monitor whether these changes influence the cost or strategy of existing index funds in their portfolios.
The takeaway
While corporate acquisitions consolidate control, index performance remains the primary metric for long-term household wealth. Review your current index fund holdings annually to ensure they still align with your risk tolerance and long-term financial objectives.
Further reading
For more on building a long-term portfolio, see our Investing section.
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