According to the fifth annual FTSE Russell smart beta survey, 48% of asset owners globally have an existing allocation to smart beta strategies, the highest proportion since the survey began. Rolf Agather, managing director of North America research, FTSE Russell, said, “With five years of results for our global smart beta survey, we are able to offer unique insight across the industry on how the preferences and needs of our global clients are changing.” The index provider notes that educational shortfalls remain, despite the strong growth in adoption.

Developed equity markets were relatively flat to slightly rising last week, while the US 10y Treasury yield rose to 3.11%, the highest since July 2011, and oil prices climbed to $79.3 per barrel on Thursday.

Lyxor has launched the Lyxor Scientific Beta Developed Long/Short UCITS ETF, providing exposure to an equity market neutral index that is composed of a long position in a number of portfolios designed to maximise exposure to different factors and a short position in a broad market capitalization-weighted index.

First Trust Advisors has launched the First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI US) on Nasdaq Exchange. The fund dynamically adjusts its exposure across four broad asset classes based on price momentum signals analysed by relative strength specialist Nasdaq Dorsey Wright.

REX Shares has launched the REX BKCM ETF (BKC US) on NYSE Arca. BKC provides exposure to a globally diversified, actively managed portfolio of companies deriving revenue from any aspect of the blockchain ecosystem. The fund will be managed by Brian Kelly, a leading authority on cryptocurrencies, the author of the book “The Bitcoin Big Bang”, and a regular contributor to CNBC’s “Fast Money”.

RBC Global Asset Management has launched the RBC US Banks Yield Index ETF (RUBY CN) on Toronto Stock Exchange, providing exposure to high income stocks from the large-cap US banking universe. Mark Neill, head of RBC ETFs, said, “Recent trends in the US, such as strong growth signals and changing monetary policy, has created a positive long-term outlook for US banks.”

Pacer ETFs has launched a suite of three new funds on NYSE Arca that provide access to real estate investment trusts (REITs) focusing on different sectors of the US property market. The ETFs target traditional bricks-and-mortar retail REITs as well as REITs standing to gain from the ongoing e-commerce revolution.

ETFs deliver the versatility that European institutional investors want in the current fast-changing global market environment, according to a recent study by Greenwich Associates. “After multiple years of regular use, European institutions have found ETFs to be simple, versatile and cost-effective tools, and they are ramping up their investments at a rapid clip,” says Greenwich Associates managing director, Andrew McCollum.

First Trust Portfolios Canada has launched the First Trust International Capital Strength ETF (FINT CN) on Toronto Stock Exchange. The actively managed fund invests in equity securities of developed market companies, excluding the US and Canada, with a focus on fundamental strength and growth.

Hang Seng Indexes has launched the Hang Seng Stock Connect Big Bay Area Composite Index, a new China equity index reflecting the performance of Chinese companies operating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area (Big Bay Area).