S&P Dow Jones and MSCI have launched their latest consultation on proposed changes to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), with potential ramifications for ETF investors.

DWS has made significant changes to six equity ETFs collectively housing over $1.8 billion in assets under management.

DWS has unveiled a suite of socially responsible European sector ETFs that exclude companies from industries considered less reputable as well as firms with poor ESG profiles.

DWS has launched a pair of ETFs on Xetra which provide investors with access to the rapidly growing market for green corporate bonds.

KraneShares has introduced a new China-focused fixed income ETF providing exposure to renminbi-denominated securities included in the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index.

By Shaheen Contractor, ESG Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence.

ESG ETF assets hit $218bn last year as the number of funds grew and asset managers launched new funds to capitalize on the growth in the market. However, even though ESG factors have become a major influence in the market, it is still difficult for investors to understand what exactly ESG ETFs offer.

MSCI has unveiled a suite of China equity indices – the MSCI China Thematic Indices – designed to help investors capitalize on long-term, structural trends within the country.

The Investment Association (IA), the trade body that represents the UK’s fund management industry, has added ETFs to its fund sectors for the first time.

Invesco has launched an ETF in Europe providing equal-weight exposure to the companies that make up the S&P 500.

Amundi has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire fellow French ETF rival Lyxor from Société Générale.