JP Morgan Asset Management has announced the launch of the JPMorgan BetaBuilders MSCI US REIT ETF (BBRE US) on Cboe BZX providing exposure to the performance of US real estate investment trusts. “BBRE is a pure play on the REIT market and provides choice to investors who are seeking core real estate index exposure,” said Joanna Gallegos, US head of ETFs at JP Morgan Asset Management.

Solactive has released the Solactive L&G ESG Index Family, targeted at investors who wish to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment strategy. Timo Pfeiffer, head of research at Solactive, commented, “This is quite a big achievement for Solactive, as these launches help us fulfil our commitment to enlarge the range of ESG strategies available in the market. With increasing focus from investors and regulators alike, sustainability is becoming the rule, rather than the exception.”

Invesco has launched a new ETF – the Invesco MSCI Saudi Arabia UCITS ETF (MSAU LN) – on London Stock Exchange that provides exposure to companies listed in Saudi Arabia. It is the first ETF in Europe to offer investors targeted exposure to Saudi Arabian stocks and the domestic Saudi economy, which, according to Chris Mellor, head of EMEA ETF equity & commodity product management at Invesco, “is in the early stages of an exciting transformation.”

Following a review of its product lineup, BlackRock plans to close and liquidate the following US iShares ETFs. The funds have failed to attract significant assets under management. The smallest fund (HHYX) has just $1.4m in AUM and the largest (HEFV), $16.7m.

Net inflows into exchange-traded products (ETPs) reached $35.1bn globally in May, bolstered by strong flows into US equity products at $26.1bn, according to the latest ETP Landscape Report from BlackRock. The picture was less rosy for EMEA-listed ETPs, which bucked the global trend, experiencing net outflows of around $100m. Wei Li, Head of iShares EMEA Investment Strategy at BlackRock, identified three key stories behind May’s flows.

Lyxor has cross-listed its Lyxor Scientific Beta Developed Long/Short UCITS ETF onto Xetra and Börse Frankfurt under ticker code GLMN GY where it trades in euros.

DWS has repurposed one of its China A-Shares ETF to provide access to the landmark MSCI China A Inclusion Index. As part of the reorganisation, the NYSE Arca-listed Xtrackers CSI 300 China A-Shares Hedged Equity ETF (ASHX US) has dropped the CSI 300 USD Hedged Index and changed its name to the Xtrackers MSCI China A Inclusion Equity ETF. Fiona Bassett, Global Co-Head of Passive Asset Management at DWS, said, “investors will be able to fine-tune their exposure to Chinese capital markets as MSCI works to introduce more A shares into their Global Standard Indices.”

AdvisorShares has lowered the net expense ratio for its actively managed AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR US) from 98bps to 89bps. “As we’ve previously indicated, and are now fortunate to realize, we believed AADR’s continuous growth would lead to another opportunity to lower its total net expense ratio,” said Noah Hamman chief executive officer of AdvisorShares.

ETF Managers Group has announced the closure of the Spirited Funds/ETFMG Whiskey & Spirits ETF (WSKY US) following a review of market demand

Sydney-based BetaShares has teamed up with Frankfurt-based index provider Solactive to launch the BetaShares Australian Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (CRED AU) on the Australian Securities Exchange. Timo Pfeiffer, Head of Research at Solactive, commented: “We are very happy to partner up with BetaShares, one of the leading players in the Australian ETF market, and increase the portfolio of investment strategies targeting Australian investors.”