iShares, the exchange-traded funds business of BlackRock, has expanded its factor ETF line-up with the launch of two “enhanced” international equity ETFs on the NYSE Arca. The iShares Enhanced International Large-Cap ETF (IEIL) and iShares Enhanced International Small-Cap ETF (IEIS) seek to provide competitive risk-adjusted returns compared to broad international large-cap or small-cap indices, respectively. Rather than tracking an index, the new ETFs are actively managed using BlackRock research.

The PowerShares International BuyBack Achievers Portfolio (IPKW) has gone live on Nasdaq. This latest exchange-traded fund (ETF) from Invesco PowerShares provides investors with efficient access to a portfolio of international companies classified as “BuyBack Achievers”. BuyBack Achievers are companies that have effected a net reduction of 5% or more of their outstanding shares in their most recent fiscal year, and have met additional criteria in accordance with the guidelines and mandated procedures of the Nasdaq OMX Group, the underlying index provider.

Invesco PowerShares, a leading global provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), is to launch an ETF providing exposure to a portfolio of international companies with a history of stock buybacks. The PowerShares International BuyBack Achievers Portfolio (IPKW) will be listed on the Nasdaq stock market and is scheduled to make its debut on February 27, 2014. It will be linked to the Nasdaq International BuyBack Achievers Index.

ETF Securities, a leading provider of exchange-traded commodities, has published a survey concluding that investors will continue to invest in commodities in 2014, with cyclical commodities remaining favourites. Nicholas Brooks, Head of Research and Investment Strategy at ETF Securities, said: “Most investors we surveyed indicated they are positive on the outlook for global growth in 2014, with the US leading the way. This likely explains their general bullishness towards broad commodities after three years of underperformance, with platinum and copper top picks.”

ERI Scientific Beta, the indexing venture launched by Paris-based EDHEC-Risk Institute, has unveiled a series of “multi-strategy smart factor indices” available for all developed world geographical regions. Underpinned by research conducted by the highly acclaimed academic institution, the smart beta indices allow investors to gain exposure to desired risk factors while at the same time benefitting from index diversification.

iShares, the exchange-traded fund business of investment giant BlackRock, has launched three new currency hedged ETFs designed to reduce the impact of currency fluctuations on returns when investing in foreign countries. Daniel Gamba, Head of iShares Americas Institutional Business at BlackRock, said: “Today’s volatile global currency rates are causing investors with international portfolios to pay closer attention to how they can manage currency fluctuations. iShares Currency Hedged ETFs offer an efficient and cost-effective solution in a single transaction, so investors don’t have to manage complex currency hedging strategies.

Source, a London-based provider of exchange-traded products, has teamed up with Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs to launch an ETF designed to outperform traditional equity benchmarks. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Source Goldman Sachs Equity Factor Index World UCITS ETF (EFIW) aims to deliver consistent outperformance versus market capitalization benchmarks, on both an absolute and risk-adjusted basis, by emphasizing key market factors. The ETF joins a growing list of so-called “smart beta” funds, which are fast gaining in popularity.

Market Vectors, a US-based provider of exchange-traded funds, has entered the smart beta space with the launch of four ETFs powered by factor-based indices from MSCI. The new ETFs, which have been listed on the NYSE Arca, focus on international and emerging markets quality and quality dividend stocks, enabling investors potentially to access the extra returns historically associated with these factor strategies in an index-based, cost-efficient format.

Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (DeAWM) has expanded its lineup of currency-hedged exchange-traded funds with the launch of three new db X-trackers ETFs on the NYSE Arca. Martin Kremenstein, Head of Passive Asset Management for DeAWM Americas, said: “In the current market environment, investors are looking for products to help them manage exposure to currency risk in their international investments. For this reason, we continue to expand our hedged equity platform to include countries and regions where the management of currency risk can strengthen a global equity portfolio.”

One in four institutional investors report using smart beta ETFs, and adoption among non-users is likely to accelerate in the near future, according to a new study conducted by Cogent Research, a division of Market Strategies International. The results reveal that nearly half (46%) of institutional decision-makers not currently using smart beta ETFs indicate they are likely to start using the products over the next three years, particularly institutional investors with assets in excess of $500 million.