Evolve ETFs is preparing to launch the Evolve Innovation Index ETF (EDGE CN) on Toronto Stock Exchange. EDGE invests in companies involved in innovative or disruptive trends across a broad range of industries. Raj Lala, president & CEO of Evolve ETFs, said the fund “combines today’s most transformational themes into a single diversified portfolio of disruptive industries.”

Solactive and UBS have launched the Solactive UBS Development Bank Bond Indices, a family of 36 total return indices tracking the performance of high-grade debt issued by the World Bank and other development banks. Steffen Scheuble, CEO of Solactive, said the indices “play a critical role in attracting capital to sustainable development.”

Global X has launched the Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV US) on Nasdaq, the sixth and latest addition to its thematic technology suite of ETFs. “Electric and autonomous vehicles are poised to have one of the most profound impacts on society since the industrial revolution, affecting a wide range of sectors in ways that we’ve only just begun to imagine,” said Jay Jacobs, director of research at Global X.

Lyxor has introduced the Lyxor Global Gender Equality (DR) UCITS ETF – Monthly Hedged to EUR (ELLH GY), a currency-hedged share class of its global gender equality ETF. Listed on Deutsche Börse, the share class hedges the fund’s US dollar exposure to the euro, the fund’s trading currency.

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.”

UBS has cross-listed its global gender equality ETF onto Borsa Italiana. The share class available on the Italian exchange is hedged to EUR and listed under the ticker code GENDEE IM. The UBS Global Gender Equality UCITS ETF launched in December 2017 and has since accumulated $44m assets under management.

In events co-coordinated by Women in ETFs, 63 stock exchanges around the world hosted bell ringing ceremonies to mark International Women’s Day and to help advance the cause of gender equality and women’s empowerment. ETF issuers have shown they are keen to play their part with a number of ETFs being launched in recent years that select stocks based on gender equality screening.

Ossiam has cross-listed the Ossiam Solactive Moody’s Analytics IG EUR Select Credit ETF (OSXF GY) on Deutsche Börse. This new smart beta fixed income ETF, which debuted on Euronext Paris on 15 February 2018, invests in a portfolio of euro-denominated investment grade corporate bonds, seeking to maximise total return while maintaining a low credit risk profile.

ETF Securities has cross-listed its three new ‘disruptive technology’ global equity ETFs onto Borsa Italiana.

Da Vinci Capital, an emerging markets asset manager with offices in Moscow and Hong Kong, has entered the European ETF market with the launch of two Russia-focused ETFs. Elio Manca, managing director of ITI Funds, commented, “The funds provide efficient entry, with diverse exposure to direct securities, into the Russian equity and bond markets at the low point of economic cycle in Russia.”