Archive for October 2017

Global smart beta ETF assets reach record high

Oct 20th, 2017 | By
Fixed income ETFs to play greater role in portfolios, finds Tabula

Assets invested in smart beta equity ETFs listed globally have increased 21.9% in the first nine months of the year to reach a new record high of $644 billion at the end of September, according to London-based ETF industry consultant ETFGI.


Franklin Templeton adds EM multi-factor ETF to LibertyShares suite

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Franklin Templeton adds multi-factor ETF to Liberty Shares suite

Franklin Templeton has added to its line-up of Europe-listed ETFs with the launch of the Franklin Templeton LibertyQ Emerging Markets UCITS ETF, tracking the performance of large- and mid-cap emerging markets stocks selected using a multi-factor approach. Vivek Kudva, head of EMEA and India at Franklin Templeton, said, “We think this new strategy can be utilised as a strategic and long-term allocation for those investors looking for an alternative way of accessing emerging markets as part of their diversified portfolio.”


BNP Paribas launches defensive European high yield bond ETF

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
BNP Paribas launches ESG impact bond ETF

BNP Paribas has launched a new ETF offering exposure to the European high yield credit market while hedging against market downturns through the use of a protective put strategy.


Research house Bernstein unveils debut ETFs

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Bernstein launches two ETFs based on in-house research

Sell-side research and brokerage firm Bernstein has waded into the ETF market with the launch of a pair of equity ETFs tracking global or US stocks selected based on the firm’s own proprietary research. Robert van Brugge, chairman and CEO of Bernstein said, “With these ETFs, investors can assess our insights directly at a competitive price and in a convenient format.”


Boost for Dow ETFs as index passes 23,000

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Boost for Dow ETFs as index passes 23,000

Investors in ETFs that track the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) have enjoyed a year of incredibly strong performance and were again celebrating as the index closed over 23,000 for the first time on 18 October 2017. The index, which celebrated its 120-year anniversary in 2016, has risen 30.4% in the 12 months to 18 October compared to the 21.9% returned by the S&P 500 Index over the same time period.


Principal launches two US single factor ETFs

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Principal unveils suite of active multi-factor ETFs

Iowa-headquartered Principal Financial has rolled out two new single factor ETFs, expanding the firm’s smart beta line-up of funds. The new launches target large- and mid-cap US equities with strong value and momentum characteristics.


IndexIQ goes active with two municipal bond ETFs

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Sal Bruno, Chief Investment Officer at IndexIQ.

IndexIQ has begun its foray into the actively managed ETF space with the launch of two new funds targeting the municipal bond market. Salvatore Bruno, IndexIQ CIO, said: “We expect that these new products will allow more investors to gain the benefits of exposure to this complex, yet important, sector of the bond market.”


Robo-advisor Moneyfarm introduces charges for all wealth brackets

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
Robo-advisor Moneyfarm introduces charges for all wealth brackets

Automated wealth management company Moneyfarm has announced it is to introduce charges to all investors, abandoning its previous scheme where portfolios below £10,000 or above £1 million in invested assets were exempt from fees. The firm said it has initiated the new pricing structure to bring the firm in line with other robo-advisers.


BlackRock: What’s next for China’s economy?

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
BlackRock: What’s next for China’s economy?

By Richard Turnill, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock.

China’s growth is set to cool in 2018 after a surprisingly strong year while economic risks are rising, thinks Richard Turnill, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock.


Virtus launches actively managed global multi-factor ETF

Oct 19th, 2017 | By
William J. Smalley, executive managing director and head of product strategy and management, Virtus ETF Solutions.

Virtus ETF Solutions has launched a new global multi-factor ETF – the Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF (NYSE Arca: VGFO), sub-advised by Wellington Management. William J. Smalley, head of product strategy and management, Virtus ETF Solutions, said: “The dynamic, multi-factor approach combines the benefits of smart beta and active risk management, representing the next generation of factor investing.”