Fitting exchange-traded funds inside of 401(k)s is still a hot topic embraced by numerous mutual fund firms and advisors, but which ETFs are actually getting 401(k) distribution? Today BrightScope unveiled a list of the top 20 ETFs (by assets) inside 401(k)s; a full 10 of them are BlackRock's iShares, and another seven are from Vanguard.

"It's a hot issue issue right now," BrightScope CEO Mike Alfred told The MFWire.com, noting that BrightScope's list is drawn from year-end 2009 data. "I knew that distribution of ETFs in plans is relatively limited … I think we'll see a lot of growth. The real opportunity is in the mid and small market."

According to Alfred, about 0.093 percent of DC assets are in ETFs, with the top fund having about $248 million in DC dollars.

The ETFs on the list are:

1) Vanguard Total Bond Market;

2) iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index;

3) Vanguard Small Cap Growth;

4) iShares Russell 2000 Index;

5) iShares Russell 1000 Value Index;

6) iShares Russell Midcap Value Index;

7) Vanguard Small Cap;

8) iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index;

9) Vanguard Growth;

10) iShares MSCI EAFE Index;

11) Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond;

12) Ultra QQQ ProShares;

13) SPDR S&P 500;

14) iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index;

15) SPDR Gold Shares;

16) iShares Russell 2000 Value Index;

17) iShares Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury;

18) iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond; and

19) Vanguard Mid Cap; and

20) Vanguard Small Cap Value. BrightScope previously released similar lists regarding commodities and TIPS funds inside 401(k)s [see The 401kWire, 5/17/2011 and The MFWire.com, 6/1/2011]. 

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