Investment house IBI has launched the IBI (4D) SAL Solactive US Internet ETF on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, offering exposure to US-listed firms operating in the internet sector. Shai Sasportas, head of ETF sector, IBI Investment House, said: “After IBI’s success in using Solactive real estate indices, we decided to enter into the growing and interesting internet sector.”

Metaurus Advisors has launched two new ETFs on NYSE Arca. These funds have effectively stripped the dividend stream and the potential for capital growth of S&P 500 constituents into two seperate components and packaged each component into its own ETF. Richard Sandulli, co-CEO of Metaurus Advisors said, “Investors and their advisors now have precise tools to balance current cash flow potential against their growth and risk tolerance, without sacrificing the diversification potential and low cost of index investing.”

By Nizam Hamid, ETF strategist at WisdomTree in Europe.

The upcoming Italian election, scheduled for 4 March 2018, has the potential to revive a risky environment for Italy government bonds, BTPs. Whilst not entirely reminiscent of the 2016 referendum, which highlighted significant constitutional issues and challenges, the election certainly brings an element of uncertainty that investors may do well to prepare against.

Amundi has launched nine new ETFs on Deutsche Börse, offering investors a variety of exposures including equities, real estate, and government and corporate bonds.

MSCI has reported that its country and factor equity indices were all positive in January, with China leading the way up 12.5%.

This week’s spike in US equity market volatility led to the temporary suspension of trading in three US-listed inverse VIX exchange-traded products and the decision from Credit Suisse to close its VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term ETN (XIV).

By Patrick Nolan, portfolio strategist at BlackRock Portfolio Solutions.

In an era when equity returns are relatively easy to come by, yields remain low, and volatility barely makes a ripple, it can be a challenge to contemplate how to build portfolios for the next market cycle. How can you prepare for a time when the ups and downs of owning stocks may be significantly bumpier than it has been for the past eight years?

Redwood Asset Management has launched the Marijuana Opportunities Fund (MJJ CN) on Canada’s NEO Exchange. The fund is a world first as it is currently the only actively managed ETF to focus exclusively on equities tied to the marijuana or marijuana-related industries. Peter Shippen, president and chief executive officer of Redwood Asset Management, said “the significant volatility of the sector and the ongoing evolution of the regulatory environment in the cannabis space have made active management the preferable way to invest.”

Vanguard Investments Canada has listed three new multi-asset ETFs of ETFs – each among the lowest cost for their categories – on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Atul Tiwari, managing director, Vanguard Investments Canada, said the ETFs will suit investors and advisers “looking for simple yet sophisticated single-ticket investment solutions that provide well-diversified global equity and bond exposure within a low-cost ETF structure.”

Copia Capital Management, the discretionary fund manager of Novia Group, has launched its “Select Plus” range of managed portfolios, aimed at the UK adviser market. The suite of five portfolios are constructed using a blend of ETFs, as well as funds by Dimensional Fund Advisors, and provide access to risk premia associated with certain factor exposures. According to Hoshang Daroga, quantitative investment manager at Copia, the systematic factor-based approach can help advisers diversify portfolios and potentially enhance returns.