The first ETF to target the ETF industry – the ETF Industry Exposure & Financial Services ETF (TETF US) – has delivered a strong return of 36.0% in the first year since its launch on 30 April 2017. Mike Venuto, CIO of Toroso Investments, commented, “The key facets of the ETF structure – transparency, liquidity, lower costs – are by now well understood, but investors are just now catching onto the fact that as the ETF has gone mainstream, the ETF industry itself has emerged as a compelling investment idea.”

Pacer ETFs has accumulated $2 billion in assets under management less than three years since the launch of its first ETF. “Our rapid growth rate is due, in part, to our unique series of ETFs,” said Sean O’Hara, president of Pacer ETF Distributors. “Reaching this milestone is possible due to the hard work and dedication of our team and our partners at S&P, Nasdaq, FTSE Russell, US Bank and Cboe.”

Mirae Asset Global Investments and CSOP Asset Management are closing some of their leveraged and inverse ETP products currently listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

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.”

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.

Janus Henderson is to close and liquidate the Janus Henderson SG Global Quality Income ETF (SGQI US). The fund, currently listed on Nasdaq Exchange, will cease trading after the close of business on 17 May 2018.

First Trust Global Portfolios has launched Europe’s first blockchain ETF, the First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction and Process UCITS ETFs (BLOK LN), on the London Stock Exchange. Derek Fulton, CEO at First Trust Global Portfolios, said: “We are pleased to bring to market this innovative UCITS ETF – BLOK. With an increasing number of institutions harnessing blockchain technology and applications spanning a wide range of industries, we believe the efficiency, auditability and transparency provided by blockchain offers the potential for significant growth opportunities.”