S&P Dow Jones Indices has announced the launch of the S&P Europe 350 Low Volatility Index, which is designed to measure the performance of the least volatile stocks within the S&P Europe 350, an equity index drawn from 17 major European markets, covering approximately 70% of the region’s market capitalisation. The launch of the S&P Europe 350 Low Volatility index comes after interest from exchange-traded fund (ETF) providers and follows similar low volatility launches of indices covering emerging markets and developed countries ex-US.

BrokerTec, a global electronic fixed income trading platform owned by broker-dealer ICAP, and MTS, a fixed income trading venue in Europe, which is majority owned by London Stock Exchange Group, have announced plans to launch a daily repo index series for the euro. The indices could offer an alternative to the eurozone’s Eurepo index, compiled by the European Banking Federation, which also sets the Euribor rates that aim to track unsecured lending among the bloc’s banks.

AdvisorShares, a US-based sponsor of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of its NYSE-listed international active ETF, the WCM/BNY Mellon Focused Growth ADR ETF (AADR).

Following a strategic review, Russell Investments has formally announced the termination and liquidation of the company’s US passively managed family of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Russell will continue to focus on offering solutions in the actively managed, asset allocated ETF space, including maintaining the Russell Equity ETF (ONEF), as part of its core capability in investment strategy implementation as well as in the passive ETF space through its index licensing business.

US technology sector exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rallied last week as tech giant and sector bellwether Cisco Systems (CSCO) surged after the company reported positive earnings results and issued a cautiously upbeat financial forecast. The positive results come after S&P Capital IQ last month upgraded the technology sector and gave ‘overweight’ ratings to a number of technology-focused ETFs.

Motif Investing, a California-based online broker specialising in theme-based stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) baskets, has expanded its product offering by introducing 10 new fixed income baskets (or ‘motifs’, as the company calls them) containing bond ETFs tied to certain macro-economic trends.

Emerging Global Advisors has announced the launch of two new ETFs, the EGShares Beyond BRICs ETF (BBRC) and the EGShares Emerging Markets Domestic Demand ETF (EMDD). Commenting on the launch, Marten Hoekstra, CEO of Emerging Global Advisors, said: “EGShares BBRC and EMDD ETFs represent alternatives to those broad benchmarks which typically reflect the most mature countries and sectors in emerging markets.”

First Trust Advisors has debuted two new income-focused ETFs, the First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index ETF (MDIV) and the First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index ETF (TDIV). MDIV tracks the NASDAQ Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index, providing exposure to a diversified mix of income-generating asset classes, while TDIV tracks the NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index, providing a simplified way to gain targeted access to dividend-paying tech companies.

Fran Rodilosso, a high-yield corporate bond portfolio manager at US-based Market Vectors ETFs, recently commented on what he sees as the major themes and trends shaping the ‘fallen angels’ segment of the US high-yield corporate bond space. Fallen angel is a term used to describe a bond that was rated as investment grade at the time of its original issuance, but which has since lost its investment-grade status.

Despite the European debt crisis, slowing growth in China and the coming US elections, investors who are able to look past the latest headlines and focus on the long term will be rewarded over time, according to a report from BNY Mellon Wealth Management. “Investors can’t afford to be paralysed by turbulence and uncertainty in the global markets,” said Leo Grohowski, chief investment officer of BNY Mellon Wealth Management.