Amundi has expanded its range of ‘Prime’ ETFs with the launch of two new funds providing low-cost exposure to UK mid- and small-cap equities and to short-duration US Treasury bonds. The funds have been priced in line with existing Prime-branded ETFs and come with expense ratios of just 0.05%. Fannie Wurtz, Head of Amundi ETF, Indexing and Smart Beta, commented, “When we launched our industry-leading low-cost range of ETFs last year, we committed to listening to our clients and developing solutions to match their needs. These new funds offer investors the opportunity to complement their portfolios with additional cost-effective core ETF exposures.”

Online personal finance and investment company SoFi has changed the index underlying the SoFi 50 ETF (SFYF US). The incoming SoFi Social 50 Index consists of the 50 US large-cap stocks that represent the most widely held securities in SoFi members’ self-directed brokerage accounts, weighted by aggregate holdings. SoFi CEO Anthony Noto, said, “Our members have consistently expressed interest in investing in the same stocks as their friends and peers. We are excited to introduce an ETF product that centers on the social elements of investing.”

Direxion has launched a new thematic equity ETF that seeks to capitalize on what is arguably the most pervasive and likely most enduring trend associated with the Covid-19 pandemic: the work-from-home movement. The Direxion Work From Home ETF (WFH US) provides exposure to companies specializing in products and services that aid and facilitate the ability for employees to work remotely. David Mazza, Managing Director at Direxion, said, “WFH meets the demand of investors looking to gain diversified exposure to firms providing the technologies helping to improve data security, facilitate on-demand access, enable virtual collaboration, and empower digital connectivity.”

Frankfurt-based index provider Solactive has launched three new thematic indices that capture investment opportunities related to artificial intelligence, national defense, and senior citizens.

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has cross-listed six thematic equity ETFs into the Swiss market. The funds target disruptive technology themes that capitalize on investment opportunities in artificial intelligence, healthcare innovation, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, clean water, energy storage, and e-commerce logistics. Each ETF has listed in Swiss francs on SIX Swiss Exchange and comes with an expense ratio of 0.49%.

UniCredit has slashed the expense ratio for the €70 million ($80m) UC Axiom Global CoCo Bonds UCITS ETF (CCNV GY) from 0.65% to 0.39%. The fund tracks the Solactive AXI Liquid Contingent Capital Global Market TR Index – Euro Hedged, providing exposure to the global contingent convertible (CoCo) bond market including both the Additional Tier 1 (AT1) and Restricted Tier 1 (RT1) segments.

New York-headquartered Indxx has unveiled a new thematic equity index providing exposure to companies benefitting from the increased adoption of telecommuting and remote workplaces. The Indxx Flexible Workplace Index is suitable to serve as the underlying reference for investment products including ETFs.

Solactive has unveiled a new fixed income index family tracking the performance of investment-grade credit issued in Swedish krona.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) has become the latest investment giant to roll out its own range of competitively priced core ETFs. Debuting under the newly unveiled ‘MarketBeta’ brand, the three Cboe-listed ETFs track Solactive indices and provide economical access to market-cap-weighted portfolios of US, developed ex-North America, and emerging market stocks. They come with fees ranging from 0.07% to 0.36%.

An NYSE Arca-listed thematic ETF providing long exposure to e-commerce companies while shorting traditional bricks-and-mortar firms has soared in recent months as the Covid-19 pandemic forces Main Street shoppers online. The ProShares Long Online/Short Stores ETF (CLIX US) is up 44.4% year-to-date (as of market close on Friday 15 May 2020), compared to a -10.6% loss for the S&P 500 over the same period.