Virtus ETF Solutions has launched a new global multi-factor ETF – the Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF (NYSE Arca: VGFO), sub-advised by Wellington Management. William J. Smalley, head of product strategy and management, Virtus ETF Solutions, said: “The dynamic, multi-factor approach combines the benefits of smart beta and active risk management, representing the next generation of factor investing.”

The European smart beta ETF market had modest inflows of €555 million in Q3 2017, according to research from Lyxor, with factor allocation ETFs enjoying the bulk of inflows with €1.1 billion. The strong flows into factor allocation ETFs represent more than a 50% increase on Q2 flows of €719m.

Iowa-headquartered Principal Financial has launched a new smart beta ETF tracking the performance of US mega-cap equities with a tilt toward lower volatility stocks. Paul Kim, managing director of ETF strategy, Principal Global Investors, commented: “Everyone likely has domestic large-cap equity exposure. USMC provides a more efficient way to get that exposure with potentially better risk-adjusted returns.”

BlackRock’s European-listed iShares Edge MSCI World Momentum Factor UCITS ETF has recorded significant inflows recently, gaining net new assets of over $500 million between 22 August and 12 October 2017.

Columbia Threadneedle has launched the Columbia Diversified Fixed Income Allocation ETF (NYSE Arca: DIAL), building out its smart beta ETF suite. DIAL provides a global multi-sector strategy, which is designed to serve as a core bond allocation. Marc Zeitoun, head of strategic beta at Columbia Threadneedle, commented: “DIAL’s disciplined process is designed to seek more sources of income and avoid the overconcentration found in traditional fixed income benchmarks.”

ERI Scientific Beta has launched a long/short equity market neutral index that takes a long position in a number of portfolios designed to maximise exposure to different factors while shorting the broad cap-weighted market. The succinctly-named Scientific Beta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy Managed Volatility L/S Equity Market Neutral Index (x3.5) includes large- and mid-cap equities from global developed markets.

BMO Asset Management has launched five new ETFs in Canada, including the country’s first ETF to offer access to Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller’s cyclically adjusted price-earnings (CAPE) methodology.

VanEck has introduced the VanEck Vectors NDR CMG Long/Flat Allocation ETF (NYSE Arca: LFEQ). Launched in collaboration with Ned Davis Research (NDR), the fund provides exposure to US large-cap equities through a guided allocation approach designed to help investors participate in bull markets and minimise losses in bear markets.

Lion Global Investors and Phillip Capital Management, two Singapore-based asset managers, have teamed up to launch the first ETF to focus entirely on Singapore real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF will trade on the Singapore Exchange and will track the Morningstar Singapore REIT Yield Focus Index.

Netherlands-headquartered Robeco has unveiled seven new multi-factor equity indices, building on the asset manager’s existing quant-based line-up. The indices, which target global, global developed, emerging markets, Europe, US, Asia-Pacific, and Japan, may be used as the basis for product development, including ETFs.