John Hancock Investment Management has launched the John Hancock Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (JHMB US), a new actively managed ETF targeting opportunities in the mortgage-backed securities market.

Dimensional Fund Advisors, the $500 billion standard-bearer for systematic factor investing, is prepping up to make its full ETF debut with the launch of three actively managed funds planned for later this year. The ETFs will deliver broadly diversified US, international, and emerging markets equity exposures, while incorporating Dimensional’s quantitatively driven investment process. 

John Hancock Investments has completed its suite of multifactor US sector ETFs with the launch of the John Hancock Multifactor Media and Communications ETF (JHCS US) on NYSE Arca. The fund is linked to the John Hancock Dimensional Media and Communications Index, designed by smart beta specialist Dimensional Fund Advisors.

John Hancock Investments has reduced the expense ratios for its nine multifactor US sector ETFs sub-advised by smart beta specialist Dimensional Fund Advisors. “Providing shareholder value is intrinsic to John Hancock Investment’s multimanager model,” said Andrew Arnott, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock Investments. “We are keenly aware of the landscape and how competitive fees, in addition to performance, can impact a portfolio.”

John Hancock Investments has launched the John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (JHEM US) on NYSE Arca, providing exposure to emerging market equities that are weighted using a multi-factor process. “We’re pleased to bring Dimensional’s time-tested multifactor approach to our investors once again with this ETF,” said Andrew G. Arnott, President and CEO of John Hancock Investments.

E*TRADE, a platform for investors to buy and sell ETFs free of brokerage commission, has expanded its lineup by 51%, adding 80 new ETFs to its range. “With the recent additions, comprehensive diversification, across practically any asset class, is now more easily and cheaply attainable than ever before.” said Rich Messina, SVP of Investment Product at E*TRADE Financial.

Manulife Investments has launched two new multi-factor ETFs on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The funds are sub-advised by Dimensional Fund Advisors and provide exposure to Canadian and US equities.

John Hancock Investments has launched the John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC US) on NYSE Arca. Andrew G. Arnott, president and CEO of John Hancock, commented: “Our firm’s momentum in the ETF space has been strong, and we now have $1 billion in ETF assets under management.”

John Hancock Investments has built out its suite of multifactor ETFs with the launch of the John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSE: JHMD). Harnessing research from smart beta pioneer Dimensional Fund Advisors’, the ETF offers access to international equities with low size, low relative prices, high profitability, and positive price momentum. Andrew G. Arnott, CEO of John Hancock Investments, said: “We are pleased to be able to bring Dimensional’s proven multifactor approach to investors seeking to invest in international markets.”

John Hancock Investments, a Boston-based asset manager who launched its first raft of exchange-traded funds in September last year, has expanded its product line-up with five new sector multifactor ETFs. The new additions build upon the firm’s existing partnership with Dimensional Fund Advisors, a smart beta pioneer. The two began their collaboration in 2006, offering strategies as both individual John Hancock mutual funds and through John Hancock asset allocation portfolios. Andrew G. Arnott, president and CEO of John Hancock Investments, said: “Investors are increasingly looking for a better way to achieve equity market beta than relying solely on traditional capitalization-weighted indices.”