Exchange operator Bats Europe has launched new benchmark indices for ten additional European market, bringing the number of indices the firm offers to 39.

Desjardins Global has launched seven ETFs on the Toronto Stock Exchange, becoming the latest asset manager to make a foray into the ETF provider space. The initial suite of Desjardins ETFs include four fixed income funds, one preferred share fund and two multifactor-controlled volatility funds that take into account the analysis of key investment factors. Nicolas Richard, Chief Executive Officer of Desjardins Global, commented: “The launch of the Desjardins ETFs represents the next step in the evolution of our offering of global investment solutions.”

Deutsche Asset Management has announced it is cutting the fees on a wide range of Europe-listed ETFs to mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of its ETF business. The funds selected for fee reductions offer global, European, US, Japanese, emerging markets, and global sector exposures, and include products tracking major investable indices. Manooj Mistry, Deutsche AM’s Head of Passive Asset Management, EMEA, commented: “Our aim is to provide highly efficient, quality index trackers for our clients, and also position Deutsche AM for a further ten years as a leading ETF provider.”

The European Commission has formally announced they have blocked the proposed merger of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Börse, in a move that confirms widespread market expectations. Had it been allowed, the £24 billion union of Europe’s two largest exchange operators would have overseen a combined market share of around 70% of ETF trading volume in Europe.

Digital investment manager Scalable Capital has doubled its assets under management (AUM) in the past three months and now manages €200 million on behalf of its clients. The strong growth in AUM marks Scalable Capital as one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in Europe. Adam French, Founder and CEO of Scalable Capital, commented: “Our service has really struck a chord with frustrated retail investors who know that they should be making their money work harder.”

A majority of IFAs (56%) expect assets under management in exchange-traded funds globally to rise further in 2017, according to research from Source. Only 3% of IFAs surveyed reported an expected decrease in global ETF assets during the year while just over a quarter (26%) expect it to stay the same. The findings follow record in-flows of $389 billion into ETFs in 2016.

Investment research firm Morningstar has published the latest instalment of its ETF Managed Portfolios Landscape Report. The report, which covers the fourth quarter of 2016 and tracks 881 strategies from 162 US-based firms, found that total assets in these strategies increased 2.2% over this period to $86.7 billion. The strong net gatherings of $1.9bn marks the fourth consecutive quarter of growth in the US ETF managed portfolios space.

Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors has announced the acquisition of the asset management businesses of Efficient Market Advisors, a registered investment advisory firm and leading ETF strategist platform with approximately $1.1 billion in assets under advisement. Herb Morgan, Founder, CEO and CIO of Efficient Markets Advisors, commented: “We are thrilled to join forces with one of the world’s most storied and dynamic financial service brands and marry our sought-after investment approach with the depth and breadth of Cantor Fitzgerald’s financial services platform.”

Investors top concerns when deciding to invest in an ETF are choosing the right ETF, the complexity of an ETF and the tracking difference between the ETF and the underlying index, according to the results of a recent survey by trading platform E*TRADE. The research, conducted in January 2017, sought to look into the minds and behaviours of self-identified experienced investors by featuring 904 active US investors who manage a portfolio of at least $10,000 in an online brokerage account.

Global analytics firm Cerulli Associates has reported that an increasing number of Asian asset managers are ramping up their passive capabilities, including providing greater access to strategic beta strategies. The report found this trend is being driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny on fees and the rise of online distribution, including robo-advisory, which is further powering the proliferation of low-cost investing. The findings are supportive of further growth in the region’s ETF industry.