BlackRock has introduced two new currency-hedged share classes for two of its high yield corporate bond ETFs listed on Deutsche Börse. The funds offer exposure to US dollar-denominated corporate bonds and global fallen angel bonds, while the new share classes mitigate exchange rate risk relative to the euro.

DWS has reduced the fees charged on five of its Xtrackers-branded ETFs. The funds include four US Treasury ETFs and a euro cash deposit rate tracker.

“We are making our US Treasuries and EUR cash offering even more attractive for our clients at a time when, particularly with increased volatility, investors are trading more fixed income exposures using ETFs,” said Blanca Koenig, fixed income strategist at DWS.

Deutsche Asset Management has cross-listed two income ETFs, the Xtrackers MSCI World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF (XDWY SW) and Xtrackers iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Yield Plus UCITS ETF (XYLD SW), on SIX Swiss Exchange.

Lyxor has launched a new range of ‘Core’ ETFs with total expense ratios starting from just 4 basis points. The range is composed of 16 ETFs covering the major equity markets as well as gilts and TIPS on the fixed income side. Four new ETFs have been launched to complement 12 existing, re-badged ETFs whose fees have been cut. Arnaud Llinas, head of ETFs and indexing at Lyxor, said, “Investors tell us they want simple, high quality ETFs at low costs. We’ve launched our Core range to achieve precisely that.”

BlackRock has introduced 15 new trading lines for iShares products on SIX Swiss Exchange, comprising equity and fixed income exposures. The new listings – a mix of accumulating, distributing and currency-hedged share classes – expand the range of tools available for Switzerland-based investors.

Deutsche Asset Management has added a new ‘yield plus’ corporate bond ETF to its product line-up with the launch of the Xtrackers iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Yield Plus UCITS ETF (XYLD) on the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse. The fund tracks the Markit iBoxx USD Corporates 1-20 Yield Plus Index, providing exposure to higher yielding, mostly investment-grade, corporate bonds denominated in US dollars.

By Sam Pierson, analyst at IHS Markit.

Short demand for high-yield bond ETFs is at the highest level recorded, currently over $7bn in total. Demand remains elevated despite a rally off the lows, which recovered half of the year-to-date losses for the products.

BNP Paribas has introduced a distributing share class for the BNP Paribas Easy High Yield Europe Defensive UCITS ETF, a recently launched fund offering exposure to the European high yield credit market while hedging against market downturns through the use of a protective put strategy.

BlackRock has cross-listed five fixed income ETFs to SIX Swiss Exchange. The suite of iShares funds provides exposure to inflation-linked government bonds, EUR-denominated high yield corporate bonds, USD-denominated corporate bonds, long-term Treasuries, and a core portfolio of corporate bonds.

IHS Markit and Korea Exchange (KRX) have launched two new smart beta indices that track South Korean equities. The indices will allow ETFs and other market participants to track publicly traded Korean Companies with the strongest dividend prospects based on IHS Markit research.