BlackRock has launched a new actively managed ETF on the Cboe BZX Exchange. The iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF US) provides exposure to the price of gold and has been designed to simplify tax filings as it does not require K-1 reporting for US investors.

More than half of Millennials would consider placing their entire investment portfolio in ETFs in the next year, according to a study of US-based clients of Charles Schwab. The study, which includes a sub-section entitled “Millennials are Mad for ETFs”, found that ETFs are the investment vehicle of choice for 91% of Millennial investors.

Assets invested in ETFs and ETPs listed globally have returned back above the $5 trillion mark, as of 31 May 2018, according to ETF industry consultant ETFGI.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has launched a new ETF on NYSE Arca. The Goldman Sachs JUST US Large Cap Equity ETF (JUST US) provides broad exposure to US large-cap equities, with a focus on companies that outperform on all major environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues critical to the American people.

JP Morgan has expanded its European offering with the launch of four new fixed income ETFs – two actively managed and two passively managed funds – on London Stock Exchange. Bryon Lake, head of international ETFs at JP Morgan, commented, “We are very pleased to be offering clients access to our industry-leading liquidity capabilities through the benefit rich ETF wrapper.”

The average pension fund holds 32% of its investments in passive products, in the form of either index funds, passive mandates or ETFs, according to a DWS-sponsored report. Thorsten Michalik, DWS’s regional head of asset management, EMEA, commented, “Over the last decade we have seen a fundamental reshaping of asset management, with some strategies becoming standardized and made easily accessible at low cost.”

VanEck has partnered with blockchain company SolidX to propose a physically backed bitcoin ETF that would be insured against loss or theft of bitcoin. The two companies filed a joint request with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval of the fund, which is currently under review.

VanEck has lowered the expense ratios on two of its emerging market bond ETFs, the VanEck Vectors JP Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC US) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets Aggregate Bond ETF (EMAG US). Fran Rodilosso, head of fixed income ETF portfolio management at VanEck, commented, “Emerging markets debt has evolved into an important asset class over the past several decades, and we believe it warrants a strategic allocation within investors’ portfolios.”

EquBot has launched the actively managed AI Powered International Equity ETF (AIIQ US) on NYSE Arca. AIIQ focuses on equity securities in companies located in developed markets outside the US, with its stock selection decisions guided by artificial intelligence. The fund is a sister to the existing AI Powered Equity ETF (AIEQ US)—launched on NYSE Arca in October last year—which focuses on US companies only.

Amplify ETFs has launched the Amplify Advanced Battery Metals and Materials ETF (BATT US) on NYSE Arca. The actively managed offering provides exposure to publicly-traded stocks of firms involved in the mining, exploration, production, processing, or recycling of advanced battery metals and materials. Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify ETFs, commented, “The recent boom in battery-powered electric vehicles, smart devices and large-scale energy storage solutions may be the tip of the iceberg for this investment opportunity.”