Deutsche Bank has expanded its sterling-hedged ETF range with the launch of the DB X-trackers MSCI Japan TRN Index ETF (XMJG) and the DB X-trackers S&P 500 ETF (XSPG) on the London Stock Exchange. “With these new ETFs investors get an automatic in-built hedge that aims to minimise the impact of currency movements on their equity investment,” said Manooj Mistry, head of DB X-trackers for the UK.

S&P Capital IQ Fund Research has launched its first grading methodology for ETFs and other passive funds. The new qualitative methodology will assign a Platinum, Gold or Silver grading to the best passively-managed ETFs and index tracker funds. Actively-managed ETFs will be graded under the long-standing active fund grading methodology.

Sabrient Systems, an independent equity research firm, and Thomson Reuters, a leading financial information provider, have collaborated to create two alpha-generating, low-volatility equity indices. The indices, the Thomson Reuters/Sabrient Sensible Growth Low Volatility Index, a long/short index, and the Thomson Reuters/Sabrient Sensible Growth Index, a long index, have been designed with ETFs in mind.

S&P Indices has announced the launch of the S&P Sri Lanka 20, which has been jointly developed with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The index is designed to be representative of the Sri Lankan equity market, yet also be efficient to replicate, with possible application for ETFs and other index-tracking funds. The index includes the largest 20 stocks, by total market capitalisation, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds.

ALPS has announced the launch of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG), an NYSE Arca-listed ETF that applies the ‘Dogs of the Dow Theory’, an investment strategy which proposes that an investor annually select for investment the ten Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks whose dividend is the highest fraction of their price, on a sector-by-sector basis using the S&P 500 as its starting universe of eligible securities.

Dow Jones Indexes has announced the launch of the Dow Jones RBP US Directional Allocation Index, a unique gauge that automatically allocates weights among other indexes that reflect distinct viewpoints on the US market. Constructed as an “index of indexes,” the new gauge reallocates among an “aggressive” index, a “defensive” index and a “market” index—while also allowing the possibility to allocate fully to a cash component—based on an automated system that uses economic and market indicators as inputs.

After the crises of the past, the economies of many African countries are clearly heading for growth. Political and economic stability has increased and the region is set for economic growth of 5.4% in 2012, according to a new study by Commerzbank. Many countries will enjoy even higher growth. Investors can access this potential via a number of low-cost ETFs, including the DB X-tracker MSCI EFM Africa Top 50 Index ETF (XMAF) and the Van Eck Market Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK).

ProShares, a US-based provider of alternative ETFs, has announced the launch of the ProShares Short Euro ETF (EUFX), the first -1x euro ETF in the United States. EUFX seeks to provide -1x the daily performance of the US dollar price of the euro, before fees and expenses. The ETF has been listed on the NYSE Arca.

The FSA has released a consultation paper that outlines the proposed ban on payments from investment management firms to fund platform companies. At present, providers of investment products generally pay to have their products included on a platform. This cost is then passed on to the investor in the price of the product. To make charges clear to investors, the FSA is proposing a ban on all such payments – a move that should boost low-cost non-rebate-paying products such as ETFs.

Manning & Napier, a NY-based investment management firm with $45bn in AUM, recently announced the launch of the Manning & Napier Goal Collective Investment Trust (CIT) Funds, a suite of ten actively managed target-date funds which will invest in a variety of ETFs. The Manning & Napier Goal CIT Funds provide an opportunity for active management at a lower cost structure while maintaining diversification of asset classes, market sectors, and securities through ETFs.