FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group, has received regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to be authorized as a benchmark administrator under the European Union’s Benchmark Regulation. Mark Makepeace, CEO of FTSE Russell, commented, “We are committed to promoting the highest possible governance standards within our industry. As such, we fully embrace the principles within the European Benchmarks Regulation to enhance and promote transparency and openness in all benchmark decisions.”

According to the fifth annual FTSE Russell smart beta survey, 48% of asset owners globally have an existing allocation to smart beta strategies, the highest proportion since the survey began. Rolf Agather, managing director of North America research, FTSE Russell, said, “With five years of results for our global smart beta survey, we are able to offer unique insight across the industry on how the preferences and needs of our global clients are changing.” The index provider notes that educational shortfalls remain, despite the strong growth in adoption.

Vanguard has launched the Vanguard Total China Index ETF on Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The underlying FTSE Total China Connect Index provides exposure to all of China’s equity share classes in the large- and mid-cap space. Yan Pu, head of portfolio review, Asia, Vanguard Investments Hong Kong, commented, “This ETF is the most comprehensive China ETF in Hong Kong, and will give investors a convenient tool to gain broad exposure to the world’s second largest economy.”

State Street Global Advisors has introduced a distributing share class for the SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETF. The new share class, available on both Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange, will suit income-seeking investors looking for comprehensive access to the UK equity market.

Vanguard has launched its first actively managed ETFs on Australian Securities Exchange – the Vanguard Global Value Equity Active ETF (VVLU AU) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Active ETF (VMIN AU). The funds are managed by Vanguard’s Quantitative Equity Group and combine rules-based methodologies with an active oversight to provide targeted and consistent factor exposures.

Zurich-based Stoxx has launched a new index brand, called Omnient, to offer custom indices based on its existing universe. Matteo Andreetto, CEO of Stoxx, commented, “Omnient addresses a clear need for solutions of low-to-medium complexity, differentiated from our premium brands.”

Franklin Templeton has extended its reach into Europe by cross-listing five smart beta ETFs on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The ETFs, targeting global, US, or European equities, are part of the Franklin Liberty Shares range and consist of multi-factor and quality income strategies. They are already available on the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse and Borsa Italiana.

Deutsche Asset Management has lowered the expense ratios for three international equity and one domestic equity Xtrackers ETFs listed in the US. Fiona Bassett, global co-head of passive asset management, said, “We are committed to providing competitive expense ratios for clients looking to invest domestically or to allocate to international equity markets.”

Franklin Templeton Investments has added four new ETFs to its line-up of passively managed country and regional funds, introducing exposures to equities listed in India, Russia, Asia Pacific ex-Japan, and Switzerland. Patrick O’Connor, head of global ETFs at Franklin Templeton Investments, said, “Our suite of passive country- and region-specific ETFs has been well received in the marketplace, as clients look for low-cost vehicles that can be used to access different exposures for their portfolios or solutions capabilities.”

Smart beta strategies are becoming a growing part of the asset allocation schemes of financial advisors and wealth managers, according to a survey from index provider FTSE Russell. Rolf Agather, managing director of North America research at FTSE Russell, said, “The results of our second smart beta advisor survey show that there is continued and growing popularity of smart beta strategies among retail advisors. There is also a significant opportunity for growth in the wealth market but more education is needed.”