Defiance ETFs, a provider of thematic ETFs targeting disruptive trends, has launched a new fund providing exposure to firms that are leaders in food-related technology. The Defiance Next Gen Food and Agriculture ETF (DIET US) has listed on NYSE Arca and comes with an expense ratio of 0.30%. Paul Dellaquila, President of Defiance ETFs, commented, “One of the most important challenges facing the world right now is finding ways to massively increase global food supply in a way that also manages environmental impacts and meets the needs of an increasingly health-conscious consumer.”

Samsung Asset Management has launched four new Korean equity ETFs on Korea Exchange. Marketed under the firm’s KODEX brand, the ETFs offer large-cap, broad market, ESG-screened, and multi-factor exposures.

BNP Paribas Asset Management has unveiled the world’s first sustainable real estate ETF, the BNP Paribas Easy FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe ex UK Green UCITS ETF, providing exposure to the most environmentally friendly REITS listed in developed mainland Europe. The fund has listed on Euronext Paris (GREAL FP) and Xetra (EEPG GY) and debuts with assets of €138m. Isabelle Bourcier, Head of Quantitative & Index at BNP Paribas Asset Management, commented, “We are building on our strong track record in this asset class by offering clients a new efficient exposure to listed real estate assets with sustainable considerations.”

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has cross-listed its European domiciled ETFs onto SIX Swiss Exchange. They include two equity funds and one fixed income fund. Pascal Mischler, Head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Client Business in Switzerland, commented, “This is a significant addition to our Swiss product offering and we are tremendously excited to enter the fast-growing European ETF market.”

By Matthew J. Bartolini, Head of SPDR Americas Research, State Street Global Advisors.

The S&P 500 Index touched a new all-time high at the end of October, its fifteenth of the year. These 15 new all-time highs appear to be a lot, but they pale in comparison to the 63 new highs the market touched in 2017 when it was gripped with reflation euphoria following the 2016 election.

BNP Paribas Asset Management has listed a pair of ETFs on Euronext Paris providing exposure to euro-denominated corporate bonds from issuers with low carbon footprints and favourable ESG characteristics. The BNP Paribas Easy € Corp Bond SRI Fossil Free 1-3Y UCITS ETF (SRIC3 FP) provides exposure to bonds with remaining maturities of one to three years, while the BNP Paribas Easy € Corp Bond SRI Fossil Free 3-5Y UCITS ETF (SRIC5 FP) covers the three-to-five-year maturity segment. The funds come to market with assets of €240m and €54m respectively.

Morningstar has ventured into the ETF issuance business via its Australian investment management concern with the launch of the Morningstar International Shares Active ETF (MSTR AU) on the Australian Securities Exchange. The ETF, which is actively managed and currency-hedged, comes with a management fee of 0.39% and aims to achieve meaningful capital growth over the medium to long term while minimizing the risk of permanent capital loss.

Taipei-based investment manager Yuanta Securities has launched a new ETF in Taiwan providing exposure to a globally diversified portfolio of companies driving change in communications technologies and services. The Yuanta Global Future Telecommunications ETF (00861 TT) has listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and comes with an expense ratio of 1.13%.

Fidelity Investments has launched a new ETF – the Fidelity Stocks For Inflation ETF (FCPI US) – providing multifactor exposure to US equities while emphasizing industries that have historically outperformed in periods of rising inflation. The fund has listed on Cboe BZX and comes with an expense ratio of 0.29%. Colby Penzone, Head of Investment Product at Fidelity Investments, commented, “At a time when other financial services firms may be scaling back, Fidelity remains a market leader, focused on innovating in all aspects of our business.”

Toronto-headquartered CI Financial has agreed to acquire WisdomTree Asset Management Canada, the Canadian ETF business of WisdomTree Investments. The transaction will see CI Financial add 14 WisdomTree ETFs collectively housing approximately C$960 million to its ETF family. Kurt MacAlpine, CEO of CI Financial, commented, “As Canadians increasingly adopt the ETF structure, the addition of WisdomTree’s Canadian operations will expand our line-up of mandates and increase the scale of our ETF business”.