BNY Mellon Investment Management has launched two new actively managed US equity ETFs targeting the investment themes of gender equality and innovation.
The BNY Mellon Women’s Opportunities ETF (BKWO US) and BNY Mellon Innovators ETF (BKIV US) have been listed on Nasdaq with expense ratios of 0.50% each.
The fully transparent, growth-focused funds are sub-advised by Newton Investment Management, a BNY Mellon affiliate specializing in theme-based equity investing.
David DiPetrillo, Head of North America Distribution at BNY Mellon Investment Management, commented: “This addition to our growing suite of ETFs provides investors with access to Newton’s deep experience in thematic investing.
“Through Newton’s multi-dimensional research platform combined with fundamental research and analysis, these ETFs will enable investors to potentially benefit from themes we believe will drive economic and societal growth and progression.”
Women’s opportunities
The BNY Mellon Women’s Opportunities ETF invests in companies that support gender equality in the workplace, as well as firms providing products or services that enable women to meet their work or personal life responsibilities.
Julianne McHugh, Portfolio Manager at Newton Investment Management, said: “Gender gaps have economic impacts – if women and men participated equally in the economy, a further $28 trillion could be added to the global annual gross domestic product by 2025. We believe that companies that support women, cultivate strong cultures, offer attractive benefit policies in the workplace, and deliver offerings which empower women, are positioned to perform better over time.”
Innovation
The BNY Mellon Innovators ETF invests in innovation-driven companies whose cutting-edge products and services are transforming work practices and disrupting people’s lives for the better. The fund invests across all market capitalizations through a wide range of industries and sectors in seeking to capture secular growth opportunities over a long-term horizon.
John Porter, Chief Investment Officer at Newton Investment Management, said: “Average company life spans have dropped sharply with 52% of Fortune 500 companies having disappeared in the last 15 years. Paired with Covid, which spurred innovation and disruption at an unprecedented rate, this provides many attractive investment possibilities in every corner of the economy. Our broad interpretation of innovation, coupled with our institutional capabilities and deep experience of thematic investing, means we can look at emerging opportunities in the healthcare, information technology, and consumer discretionary sectors among others.”