London-based Progeny Asset Management has launched the Optimised Passive Income 60/40 portfolio, a globally diversified multi-asset portfolio solution built exclusively using iShares ETFs. Ian Hooper, director of Progeny Asset Management, said the portfolio “offers a straightforward growth and yield solution that investors can tuck away for the long term.”

BNP Paribas has launched two new ETFs providing exposure to European and Japanese equities with strong environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) characteristics. The new funds, which select constituents based on data from MSCI ESG Research are available to trade on Xetra and Börse Frankfurt.

Invesco has introduced a currency-hedged share class of its recently listed PowerShares Preferred Shares UCITS ETF, which provides exposure to preferred shares issued in the US. The new share class, which mitigates exchange rate risk between the US dollar and the euro, has been listed on Xetra and Börse Frankfurt.

Direxion has launched the Direxion Daily Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT US) on NYSE Arca, providing triple leveraged exposure to an equity index composed of firms operating in the robotics and automation industry. Sylvia Jablonski, managing director at Direxion, commented, “The launch of UBOT allows traders to take a bold position in companies that are at the forefront of technology.”

By Hector McNeil, co-CEO and founder of HANetf.

MiFID II, the package of comprehensive Europe-wide rules designed to strengthen protection for investors and improve transparency, was formerly enacted at the beginning of 2018, in a move which should accelerate adoption of ETFs in Europe – a market that already grew by over 40% last year.

Bulgarian investment manager Expat Asset Management has introduced six new ETFs on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges, offering investors exposure to the main stock indices of Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Hungary and Slovakia.

Hartford Funds has launched the Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF (HTAB US) on NYSE Arca. Sub-advised by Schroder Investment Management North America, the actively managed ETF targets strong after-tax returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of taxable and tax-exempt bonds. Vernon Meyer, CIO, Hartford Funds, said, “Investors are seeking high quality fixed income solutions providing compelling after-tax returns at a competitive price.”

Global X has launched the Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV US) on Nasdaq, the sixth and latest addition to its thematic technology suite of ETFs. “Electric and autonomous vehicles are poised to have one of the most profound impacts on society since the industrial revolution, affecting a wide range of sectors in ways that we’ve only just begun to imagine,” said Jay Jacobs, director of research at Global X.

Smart beta specialists Research Affiliates has launched a new index suite combining its trademark RAFI methodology with metrics for environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) screening. “We wanted to deliver a transparent, broadly diversified, and customizable ESG strategy without sacrificing returns,” said Vitali Kalesnik, partner and head of equity research at Research Affiliates.

By Horizons ETFs US.

As we move further into the remainder of the year, investors are taking a closer look at new strategies that can be used within portfolios that may help protect against potential drawdowns and possibly increase income in volatile environments. This new focus on protection and income have many looking at options and option strategies through the use of ETFs.