The world’s largest 1,200 companies distributed a third-quarter record of $328.1 billion (£248bn) in dividends, according to research from Janus Henderson, putting a new full-year record for 2017 comfortably within reach. The dividend windfall is likely to enhance the appeal of equity income ETFs to yield-seeking investors.

Boston-based ETF issuer O’Shares Investments has announced the closing of two ETFs which provide currency-hedged exposure to high quality dividend-paying equities listed in Europe and Asia Pacific. Connor O’Brien, CEO of O’Shares, commented: “The decision has been made to close the funds so we can direct resources to developing new O’Shares ETFs to meet investors’ demand for different strategies.”

The First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX UCITS ETF (FEUZ LN) has grown to over €100 million in AUM three years after launch. The ETF, which provides smart beta exposure to eurozone stocks with growth and value characteristics, has also been awarded a coveted five-star Morningstar Rating based on a risk- and cost-adjusted analysis of fund performance compared to similar eurozone large-cap equity funds. Derek Fulton, CEO at First Trust Global Portfolios, commented: “We believe this demonstrates the true flexibility of the ETF structure to deliver alpha for investors.”

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.”

ETF flows have started to chase the fund fee cuts that have become a staple of the industry in recent months, according to new research released by FactSet. The report comes in the wake of numerous announcements in the last few months of fee reductions and new ultra-low-cost funds from major players, including Charles Schwab, State Street Global Advisors, Franklin Templeton, Deutsche Asset Management and Invesco PowerShares.

Exchange-traded funds recorded €52.6 billion of inflows during October, taking the global total for 2017 to €500bn, according to research by Amundi. In Europe, inflows totalled €6.8bn for October (€80.6bn since January), with €5.8bn flowing into equity products and €1bn into fixed income products.

ProShares has launched the ProShares Decline of the Retail Store ETF (EMTY) on NYSE Arca, the first ETF specifically designed to benefit from the decline of US-listed bricks-and-mortar retail firms. Investors looking for an alternative play on this theme – simultaneously capturing the increasing popularity of online retailing – may wish to consider the ProShares Long Online/Short Stores ETF (CLIX US) which also launched today.

Quality has replaced value as the factor driving US large-cap equities in 2017 so far, according to new research from FTSE Russell and OppenheimerFunds.

Horizons ETFs has launched the Horizons Inovestor Canadian Equity Index ETF (INOC CN) on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The ETF, linked to the Nasdaq Inovestor Canada Index, gives access to Canadian equities that offer high exposure to the value and quality factors.

Reality Shares and Nasdaq have launched the Reality Shares Nasdaq Blockchain Economy Index, a smart beta index tracking the development of leading global companies creating and implementing blockchain solutions. An ETF that will track the index is already in the works, with Reality Shares submitting initial regulatory papers on 2 November 2017.