FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds arm of Northern Trust, has introduced the FlexShares Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR) offering exposure to long-maturity US corporate bonds complemented by a credit evaluation process. The strategy is designed to provide investors with the yield benefits of longer maturity (10+ years) investment grade corporate bonds, while offering a method of capital protection through credit evaluation and improved liquidity. “The FlexShares Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond Index Fund provides investors with a contemporary approach to optimising credit risk, with improved transparency and liquidity relative to legacy corporate bond benchmarks,” said Shundrawn Thomas, head of Northern Trust’s Funds and Managed Accounts Group.

FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds brand of Northern Trust, has introduced the FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC), a multi-factor smart beta ETF investing in US large-cap equities that exhibit discernible quality, value and momentum characteristics. The ETF is designed to outperform the broader US large-cap universe through factor tilts that have historically provided excess returns over market-cap weighted indices. “The FlexShares Quality Large Cap Index fund offers targeted exposure to value and momentum factors providing investors with an efficient multi-factor core equity portfolio holding,” said Shundrawn Thomas, head of Northern Trust’s Funds and Managed Accounts Group.

FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds business of Northern Trust, has launched a new ETF providing actively enhanced exposure to global real estate securities. Listed on the NYSE Arca, the FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index ETF (GQRE) attempts to outperform traditional real estate indices via global exposure to listed, non-mortgage real estate investment trusts and operating companies that emphasize stable, long-term capital growth at an attractive price.

FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds brand of Northern Trust, has announced the launch of the FlexShares Stoxx Global Broad Infrastructure ETF (NFRA) on the NYSE Arca. Linked to the Stoxx Global Broad Infrastructure Index, the fund operates with a goal of increasing diversification with other equity assets while also providing income to investors. The fund focuses on infrastructure ownership through a bottom-up analysis of each company’s assets, as opposed to reliance on industry classifications.

Stoxx, a leading global index provider headquartered in Zurich, has unveiled the Stoxx Global Broad Infrastructure Index, a new index which captures the performance of the largest companies in the global infrastructure industry. The index has been licensed to FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds brand of Northern Trust, for launch of the ETF on the NYSE Arca.

Northern Trust has expanded its line-up of FlexShares exchange-traded funds (ETF) with the launch of three dividend-oriented equity funds that pursue income potential and long-term capital growth from a universe of international developed and emerging market stocks. The new funds complement the provider’s existing ‘quality dividend’ suite, creating a diversified set of strategies.

AdvisorShares, a US-based sponsor of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has teamed up with San Francisco-based Newfleet Asset Management to launch the AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF (MINC). The fund’s objective, resembling that of the Pimco Enhanced Short Maturity Strategy ETF (MINT), is to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital, while limiting fluctuations in net asset value due to changes in interest rates.

Israel’s TA-25 Index, the flagship index of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), celebrated its 20th birthday earlier this month. Since its debut back in January 1992, the index, which measures the performance of 25 of TASE’s largest companies, has become one of the most widely followed gauges of Israeli stocks and the underlying benchmark for a range of locally listed exchange-traded notes (ETNs)

Morningstar Indexes has launched the Morningstar US Real Asset Index, a diversified index portfolio of liquid assets that traditionally provide a hedge against inflation. The index, which includes exposure to Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), real estate investment trusts (REITs) and commodity-based stocks and futures, could help investors control their exposure to inflation.

FlexShares, the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) platform of Northern Trust, has introduced three dividend-focused ETFs designed to help investors achieve their income needs while still participating in capital growth through the equity market. The three NYSE-listed funds invest in “quality” companies that provide dividend income while targeting different levels of market volatility or beta. Portfolio holdings are weighted according to a combination of fundamental attributes (management strength, profitability and cashflow) and beta.