Europe-listed ETFs have seen a strong start to 2017, recording €9.4 billion in net new assets during February, nearly twice the one-year average of €4.9bn, according to research from Lyxor. Marlène Hassine Konqui, Head of ETF research at Lyxor said: “Both developed and emerging markets equity and fixed income ETFs saw positive flows in a risk-on environment supported by an upbeat picture of macroeconomic data across markets.”

Assets invested in actively-managed ETFs/ETPs listed globally reached a new record high of $47.5 billion at the end of February 2017, passing the prior record of $46bn set at the end of January 2017, according to data from London-based ETF industry consultant ETFGI.

Morningstar has announced it is currently engaged in the creation of a suite of European blue-chip equity indices, designed to be competitive alternatives to existing products. The indices are intended to serve as the basis for future investable product creation, including new ETFs. Sanjay Arya, Global Head of Morningstar Indices, said: “Morningstar’s mission is to create great products that help investors reach their financial goals. Our indices practice is an extension of that mission.”

BlackRock has released commentary related to assets flows within their Europe-listed iShares ETFs following the Federal Reserve’s decision to increase short-term interest rates to a range of 0.75% and 1.00%. The firm found that emerging markets, which typically see a decline when the Fed raises rates, actually outperformed the broad equity market and was the most actively-traded asset class during the day’s trading session on 16 March.

STOXX has licensed the iSTOXX MUTB Asia/Pacific Quality Dividend 100 Index to Yuanta SITC to underlie a new ETF due to be launched in Taiwan. The ETF will track 100 securities listed in the Asia Pacific region which have been screened by dividends, quality, and volatility. Matteo Andreetto, Chief Executive Officer, STOXX, commented: “This is the first Asia Pacific smart beta index solution in Taiwan.”

AdvisorShares have announced that the actively-managed Athena High Dividend ETF (NYSE: DIVI) will no longer close and liquidate as previously announced on 13 March 2017. “While our original intention was to close DIVI, we have elected to keep the ETF open,” said Noah Hamman, Chief Executive Officer of AdvisorShares.

Charles Schwab has launched an online wealth management service that combines automated investment planning technology with access to human advisors. Schwab Intelligent Advisory provides clients with a financial and investment plan comprised of a portfolio built exclusively with exchange-traded funds and managed by computer algorithms, as well as unlimited access to a human advisor via phone or video call.

WisdomTree has listed the WisdomTree India Quality UCITS ETF (Xetra: WTDZ) on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges. The fund offers smart beta exposure to Indian equities with a focus on quality companies. It has also been launched on the London Stock Exchange.

Assets invested in ETFs/ETPs listed in Europe reached a new record high of $620 billion at the end February 2017, surpassing the prior record of $599bn set at the end of January 2017. The industry gathered $12.4bn of net new assets in February, marking the 30th consecutive month of net inflows, according to research from London-based ETF industry consultant ETFGI.

AdvisorShares, a sponsor of actively managed exchange-traded funds, has announced that the AdvisorShares Athena High Dividend ETF (NYSE Arca: DIVI) will close. The AdvisorShares Board of Trustees approved the closing and subsequent liquidation of DIVI. The fund’s last day of trading will be 24 March 2017, which will also be the final day for creations or redemptions by authorised participants. The fund will cease operations, withdraw its assets, and distribute the remaining proceeds to shareholders on or after 31 March 2017.