Lower numbers for consolidated stock volume may have some wondering if increasingly popular ETFs contributed to the decline; however, ETFs may have done exactly the opposite, according to an article on CNBC.

Since there is no difference in the dollar volume between purchasing stocks and ETFs, it’s highly unlikely that ETFs contributed to lower volume, according to the report, written by CNBC Correspondent Bob Pisani.

Exchange-traded funds end up increasing trading volume, in part because they’re often used by hedge funds, the report said. Also, they are better suited for high-volume trading than conventional indexed investment vehicles packaged as mutual funds, the report said, citing Rob Arnott of Research Affiliates.

For Pisani’s full perspective, visit CBNC.com.