Strategy-based exchange traded fund provider Pacer has listed its Pacer Global High Dividend ETF (PGHD) on BATS ETF market place, which is part of BATS Global Markets (Bats). The move is yet another example of Bats pushing to become a serious contender in the ETF sector. The fund tracks the total return performance of the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends 100 Index and is the sixth ETF offered by Pacer on Bats. The Pacer Global High Dividend ETF initially employs a screen of the 300 firms in the FTSE All World Developed Large-Cap Index that have the highest free cash flow yield (free cash flow/enterprise value).

Los Angeles-based Cambria Investment Management has unveiled its seventh exchange-traded fund and first to target the fixed income space. Listed on the NYSE Arca, the newly launched Cambria Sovereign High Yield Bond ETF (SOVB) aims to deliver income and capital appreciation by investing in liquid sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds with high yield characteristics. “Foreign bonds are the largest asset class in the world, yet are dramatically under-represented in investor portfolios,” said Meb Faber, Chief Investment Officer at Cambria. “Moving away from a market-cap strategy and employing a value lens to foreign government bonds could help investors gain smarter access to income in a yield-starved environment.”

Scientific Beta, a smart beta index provider and a commercial venture of EDHEC Risk Institute, has announced the launch of the Scientific Beta Low Carbon Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy Indexes. Developed in collaboration with the South Pole Group, a sustainability consultant, the indices seek to reduce the carbon footprint of equity investments by as much as 80% while simultaneously being able to create more than 50% additional value in the medium term. Maximilian Horster, Director Financial Industry at South Pole Group, commented: “We are delighted to share our expertise with ERI Scientific Beta to produce low-carbon versions of their highly respected multi-smart factor indices. The combination of low-carbon emissions and state-of-the-art smart factor indices is a compelling opportunity for investors globally.”

BATS Global Markets, an electronic stock exchange group, welcomed a further 11 exchange-traded funds to its US ETF trading venue, BATS ETF Marketplace, in January. The figure represents 85% of all US ETF listings that occurred during the month. BATS was the number one operator for US ETF trading for every month of 2015, a record it has continued into 2016 by executing 26.9% of all US ETF trading in January. The group currently has 67 ETFs, from eight providers, listed on its US exchanges and 11 ETFs, from three issuers, listed in Europe.

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the asset manager behind the SPDR range of exchange-traded funds, has announced changes to its international government inflation-linked bond ETF. The ETF has adopted the Citi International Inflation-Linked Securities Select Index as its underlying reference benchmark, ditching the DB Global Government ex-US Inflation-Linked Bond Capped Index, following Deutsche Bank’s decision to discontinue its index calculation and administration services business. Following the switch, the ETF has been renamed SPDR Citi International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF (WIP).

The “robo-advisor” space continues to gather steam, with Sydney-based BetaSmartz becoming the latest start-up to emerge from this exciting area of FinTech. Aimed at Australian investors, BetaSmartz’s technology utilises a wide universe of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and actively managed funds to create portfolios that aim to equal the performance and sophistication of those in use at global fund managers, on a platform flexible, scalable and efficient enough to suit institutions, adviser groups and individuals. John James, Founder and CEO of BetaSmartz, said: “Robo-advice is a buzzword right now, but basically it’s the application of technology to what is otherwise a manual, inefficient process.”

BetaShares, a leading Australian provider of exchange-traded funds, has reported that the Australian ETF industry attracted $104m in net inflows in January despite global instability wiping more than $1bn off the value of locally-listed ETFs. Alex Vynokur, BetaShares’ Managing Director, commented: “This year kicked off with a shaky start for global share markets. Amid this volatility, the exchange-traded fund industry continued to receive positive inflows. It is testimony to the increased depth of products now available in the Australian ETF industry that even in heavily declining markets, investors now have opportunities to protect portfolios during the turmoil.”

Flexible Plan Investments (FPI), a US-based active management firm, has unveiled a smart beta ETF investment strategy, which builds portfolios of smart beta ETFs aimed at enhancing returns. The strategy, entitled Brighter Beta, uses a set of quantified rules, proprietary software, and extensive research to build the portfolios. The portfolios aim to enhance returns through capturing market inefficiencies as well as tactically positioning the portfolio ahead of directional moves in the market. The rising popularity of smart beta investing has resulted in the launches of over 500 individual factor-based ETFs, which now comprise Brighter Beta’s investable universe. The methodology dynamically weights chosen ETFs to maximise portfolio performance ahead of predicted market movements.

While market volatility will continue to fuel the growing popularity of multi-factor smart beta strategies in 2016, there will be greater focus on diversification than trying to predict which factor will dominate, according to asset management research firm Cerulli. “Over the past year as market uncertainty has reigned, multi-factor smart beta strategies have garnered greater interest. We expect total assets under management to continue to increase not only in Europe but in the US and Asia as well,” said Justina Deveikyte, a senior analyst at Cerulli.

ETF Securities, one of the world’s leading providers of commodities-based exchange-traded products (ETPs), has announced record year-to-date net inflows of over $1 billion since 1 January 2016. Highlights include $720 million into gold-linked ETPs and over $320 million into oil-linked ETPs. On Tuesday 9th February, the firm saw its highest ever one day net inflow, of $345 million into its gold-linked ETPs. ETF Securities’ physical gold ETPs include the $4 billion ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and $2.8 billion Gold Bullion Securities (GBS). In the oil space, ETF Securities’ largest products are the ETFS WTI Crude Oil (CRUD) and ETFS Brent 1mth (OILB), with assets of $623 million and $276 million respectively.