The fund’s underlying S&P 500 Index is one of the most widely followed gauges of large-cap US stocks. The index is composed of the common stock of 500 US companies weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization. Index constituents are selected at the discretion of an index committee within S&P Dow Jones Indices that is tasked with the objective of ensuring that the index reflects the performance of the US large-cap equity segment with a balanced representation of sectors and industry groups. To be eligible for inclusion, companies must trade on a recognized domestic exchange (e.g NYSE, NASDAQ) and have a market capitalization of at least $14.5bn on rebalance dates with a float-adjusted market capitalization that is at least 50% of the unadjusted minimum market capitalization. Companies must also have reported positive earnings over the most recent quarter, as well as over the most recent four quarters (summed together). The index is rebalanced quarterly in March, June, September and December.

The fund’s underlying Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index is a broad-based float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted benchmark that measures the performance of the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index is seen as a proxy for the US bond market and comprises more than 13,000 securities, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, fixed-rate agency MBS, ABS and CMBS. To be eligible for inclusion, securities must be rated Baa3/BBB-/BBB- or higher using the middle rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, meet minimum par amount outstanding requirements and have at least one year until final maturity. The index adjusts the par amount outstanding of bonds held by the US government to reflect the amounts that are publicly available for trading.

Nornickel-backed Global Palladium Fund has launched an ETC providing physical access to a basket of metals that are essential to the production of electric vehicles. The GPF Physical Electric Vehicle Metals ETC reflects the performance of up to six metals with allocations to each metal dependent on its use within the electric vehicle market.

HSBC Asset Management has become the latest issuer in Europe to roll out a semiconductor ETF with the launch of the HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSC LN) on LSE.

The Royal Mint’s physical gold ETC – the Royal Mint Physical Gold ETC – is now fully accessible to French investors courtesy of a local listing in Paris (RMAU FP).

Global X has introduced the Global X Blockchain UCITS ETF (BKCH LN), providing exposure to companies globally that are positioned to benefit from the increased adoption of blockchain technology.

Strategy Shares has announced the launch of the actively managed Strategy Shares Halt Climate Change ETF (NZRO US) on Nasdaq.

John Hancock Investment Management has introduced a preferred income ETF on NYSE Arca, providing a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital.

Nationwide has rolled out a further three risk-managed ETFs on NYSE Arca.

AXS Investments has launched its first ETF: the AXS Astoria Inflation Sensitive ETF (PPI US). Listed on NYSE Arca, the fund is a multi-asset strategy designed to combat the adverse effects of inflation.