Goldman Sachs Asset Management has entered into an agreement to acquire the $500 million Perth Mint Physical Gold ETF (AAAU US).

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has rolled out a new ETF offering comprehensive, smart beta exposure to the US investment-grade bond market.

Wells Fargo is seeking to launch its own ETF business, according to papers filed with the SEC. The US bank has initially registered a single ETF – the Wells Fargo Ultra Short Duration Income ETF – which will provide active exposure to ultra-short duration bonds.

Franklin Templeton has expanded its range of actively managed fixed income ETFs with the launch of an ultra-short bond fund. The Franklin Liberty Ultra Short Bond ETF (FLUD US) has listed on NYSE Arca and comes with an expense ratio of 0.15%. Patrick O’Connor, Global Head of ETFs for Franklin Templeton, said, “FLUD provides investors with diversification in the ultra-short investment category and seeks a higher yield potential than traditional cash investments with limited additional risks.”

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has launched the Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG US) on NYSE Arca. The fund provides broad exposure to US dollar investment-grade corporate bonds while screening out issuers with low operating margins and high leverage. Michael Crinieri, GSAM’s Global Head of ETF Strategy, said, “The addition of GSIG to our Access suite aims to provide investors an attractive option to get simple, transparent, and liquid access to the investment-grade credit market in a competitively priced vehicle backed by the global platform and resources of Goldman Sachs.”

Fidelity Investments has launched three actively managed equity ETFs in the US, based on existing mutual fund strategies, that are the first to utilize the firm’s proprietary semi-transparent ETF structure. Greg Friedman, Head of ETF Management and Strategy at Fidelity, commented, “Fidelity’s proprietary methodology is an industry-leading approach, designed to fit seamlessly within the existing ETF market and provide investors with greater choice and ease in accessing active investment strategies.”

BlackRock has expanded its suite of US Treasury bond ETFs with a new fund providing ultra-short duration exposure. The iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV US) has listed on NYSE Arca and comes with an expense ratio of 0.07%, making it the cheapest in its category. Steve Laipply, US Head of iShares Fixed Income ETFs for BlackRock, said, “iShares is committed to providing investors with the tools they need to build resilient bond portfolios, the importance of which has been reinforced as investors sought safe havens in recent volatile markets.”

China-focused ETF issuer KraneShares has launched its first fixed income ETF in Europe: the KraneShares Bloomberg Barclays China Bond Inclusion UCITS ETF (KBND LN). The fund, which has listed on the LSE, provides exposure to renminbi-denominated bonds issued by China’s Ministry of Finance and policy bank bonds traded in the interbank bond market. Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares, commented, “With attractive yields and low correlations relative to other government bond markets, China fixed income presents a compelling opportunity.”

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) has become the latest investment giant to roll out its own range of competitively priced core ETFs. Debuting under the newly unveiled ‘MarketBeta’ brand, the three Cboe-listed ETFs track Solactive indices and provide economical access to market-cap-weighted portfolios of US, developed ex-North America, and emerging market stocks. They come with fees ranging from 0.07% to 0.36%.

UBS has launched a new fixed income ETF in Europe providing exposure to renminbi-denominated government and policy bank bonds issued in China. The UBS ETF – JP Morgan CNY China Government 1-10 Year Bond UCITS ETF has listed on Xetra in euros (JC11 GR) and is expected to list on Borsa Italiana (CIB IM) and SIX Swiss Exchange (CNYGB SW) later this month.