ETFGI, a London-based ETF research and consultancy firm, has released the results of its monthly ETF landscape report showing assets invested in globally-listed ETFs have grown 35.3% in the first eight months of 2017 to reach a new record high of $4.8 trillion. On current momentum, global ETF assets look set to reach $5tn in the next few months.

ETFs and ETPs listed in Europe gathered $4.3bn in net new assets during August, marking 35 consecutive months of positive net inflows and a record level of $78.3bn in year-to-date (YTD) net gatherings, according to ETF industry consultant ETFGI. This figure is significantly higher than the $39.9bn in net inflows recorded at this point last year, and $22.6bn more than the $55.7bn gathered during the whole of 2016.

MSCI has released its index performance report for August 2017, breaking down the best and worst performing equity indices over this period by country, factor and sector. The index provider, which is one of the leading providers of equity indices to the exchange-traded fund industry, reports that all of its factor-based indices generated a positive return in August with the best performing factor during August being quality (1.4%) and the worst, enhanced value (0.2%).

Frankfurt-based index provider Solactive has launched the Solactive Intuitive Beta Index family by rolling out three smart beta indices constructed around themes including workforce efficiency, value investing and corporate longevity. Each of the indices target exposure to its specific theme within the US large cap equity universe.

The importance of ETFs within an average investor’s portfolio has increased substantially over the past five years, according to the 7th annual survey of investor attitudes by Charles Schwab. Heather Fischer, ETF and mutual fund platforms, Charles Schwab, commented: “As investors have become more familiar with the versatility of ETFs, their confidence levels have grown.”

Twelve new ETFs were listed on London Stock Exchange in August 2017, bringing the number of new listings year-to-date to 89. ETF issuers bringing new funds to market in London during August included First Trust, BlackRock, Deutsche Asset Management, Source and UBS.

Deutsche Asset Management is planning to cross-list four ETFs, two corporate bond and two low-cost ‘core’ equity funds, on London Stock Exchange. Simon Klein, head of passive distribution, EMEA and APAC, Deutsche Asset Management, says the cross-listings “expand the opportunities for investors in ETF format” and help “make these funds available to as wide an audience as possible”.

Nasdaq and Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote mutual development and foster cooperation between the two companies. The memorandum paves the way for both sides to work closely together in expanding their ETF markets and facilitating the cross-listing of ETFs on both the Nasdaq and TWSE.

Europe-listed ETFs are on track to set a new record for asset under management growth in a calendar year, according to the August edition of Lyxor’s monthly ETF barometer report. As of the end of August 2017, year-to-date (YTD) net inflows in the region amount to €64 billion, significantly above the prior YTD record of €51bn recorded in 2015, despite August bringing the lowest flows into equity ETFs since September 2016.

KraneShares has launched the KraneShares MSCI One Belt One Road ETF (NYSE Arca: OBOR) which invests in strategic companies from countries participating in China’s One Belt One Road initiative, an infrastructure-focused long-term modernization of the original Silk Road trading routes. Jonathan Krane, CEO at KraneShares, commented: “The OBOR initiative will receive trillions of dollars of investment over the next decade and should increase the economies and trade of both China and the participating nations.”