Salt Financial, a start-up ETF issuer based in New York, is to launch the Salt truBeta High Exposure ETF (SLT US) on Cboe Global Markets. The fund will target companies expected to exhibit higher volatility relative to the broad US market. Alfred Eskandar, co-founder of Salt Financial, said, “Today, investors generally have to choose between using complex products that reset daily or borrow on margin to enhance their exposure – we aim to provide a better alternative.”

Solactive, a German index provider, has launched the Solactive Industrial Robotics & Automation Index, a thematic index that tracks companies which provide robotics and automation solutions in an industrial context.

Ossiam has launched the Ossiam Solactive Moody’s Analytics IG EUR Select Credit ETF (MOOC FP) on Euronext Paris. This new smart beta fixed income ETF invests in a portfolio of euro-denominated investment grade corporate bonds, seeking to maximise total return while maintaining a low credit risk profile. Bruno Poulin, CEO of Ossiam, said, “The Ossiam investment-grade credit strategy is aimed at long-term investors prioritising stable returns from high quality bonds issued by companies with strong business models in debt capital markets.”

Lyxor is planning a cross-listing of the Lyxor Gender Equality ETF, Europe’s first ETF to focus on companies leading the field in gender equality, on London Stock Exchange. The fund, which tracks 150 of the highest-ranked stocks based on work-related gender equality characteristics, will trade in pounds sterling under the ticker HERS LN.

Innovation Shares, a sponsor of thematic ETFs, has unveiled the Innovation Shares NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF (EKAR US) on the NYSE Arca. The fund uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) stock selection approach to track the global electric and driverless vehicles market.

ETF Securities’ three recently launched ‘disruptive technology’ ETFs have been cross-listed onto Deutsche Börse’s Xetra platform. The three thematic equity ETFs provide investors with exposure to the performance of niche segments of the e-commerce, pharma and energy-storage-technology sectors.

Investment house IBI has launched the IBI (4D) SAL Solactive US Internet ETF on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, offering exposure to US-listed firms operating in the internet sector. Shai Sasportas, head of ETF sector, IBI Investment House, said: “After IBI’s success in using Solactive real estate indices, we decided to enter into the growing and interesting internet sector.”

Metaurus Advisors has launched two new ETFs on NYSE Arca. These funds have effectively stripped the dividend stream and the potential for capital growth of S&P 500 constituents into two seperate components and packaged each component into its own ETF. Richard Sandulli, co-CEO of Metaurus Advisors said, “Investors and their advisors now have precise tools to balance current cash flow potential against their growth and risk tolerance, without sacrificing the diversification potential and low cost of index investing.”

Emerita Capital, a blockchain research firm, has partnered with index-provider EQM Indexes to launch the Blockchain BLOK 50 Global Index. “We are excited to offer exposure to the leading companies engaged in advancing blockchain-based technology,” said Gabriel Rojo, founder of Emerita Capital Indices.

Solactive, an index provider, has teamed up with Deutsche Bank to launch a volatility-optimised European equity sustainability index. Timo Pfeiffer, Head of Research at Solactive, commented: “The Solactive Sustainability Index Europe allows investors to gain access to ESG-compliant companies, while minimising the overall portfolio risk, achieved thanks to volatility optimisation.”