Boutique index provider Solactive has introduced the Solactive European Quality Market Neutral Index, an equity strategy index that endeavours to increase in value regardless of the directional movement of the broader European market. The index is constructed by matching a long position in the Solactive European Quality Index with a short position in Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures, thereby combining fundamental rules-based stock picking with a market-neutral approach. Henning Kahre, Head of Research at Solactive, commented: “The Solactive European Quality Index was created with the idea of leveraging on the long-term potential of certain quality criteria to the benefit of future performance.”

Germany-based index provider Solactive has introduced the Solactive Global Ethical Low Volatility AR EUR Index, tracking the performance of global companies with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and low volatility characteristics. Powered by ratings from Sustainalytics, a leading global analytics firm covering the ESG sector, the index has been designed to serve as the basis for future investable products such as exchange-traded funds. Simon MacMahon, Head of Research at Sustainalytics, said: “Solactive continues to take significant strides to expand the range of ESG products available to investors. We are delighted Solactive chose our research and ratings to power this index.”

New York-based investment adviser ARK Investment Management has launched the first US-listed exchange-traded fund to invest in companies operating in the 3D-printing ecosystem. The ARK 3D Printing ETF (Bats: PRNT) invests in companies from developed markets that are involved in 3D-printing hardware, computer-aided design & simulation software, service centres, scanning and measurement, and 3D-printing materials. Investors in the fund stand to benefit from the potential for 3D-printing to revolutionize manufacturing with global management consultant McKinsey projects a growth from $5.2bn to up to between $180bn and $490bn by 2025.

Global investment manager Janus Capital Group has rolled out four thematic exchange-traded funds offering exposure to companies whose businesses are involved in care for the elderly, health & fitness provisions, obesity treatments, and supplying organic consumer products. Each fund tracks a research-driven index compiled by Germany-based Solactive. Nick Cherney, Senior Vice President and Head of Exchange Traded Products for Janus Capital Group, commented in a statement: “Changes in demographics and lifestyle are altering the investment landscape. These thematic ETFs are designed to capitalize on those shifts to give advisors new tools that can help clients achieve better financial outcomes.”

Independent investment manager Aptus Capital Advisors has become the latest US firm to launch an exchange-traded fund. The Aptus Behavioral Momentum ETF (BEMO), which tracks the proprietary Aptus Behavioral Momentum Index, was unveiled on the Bats ETF Marketplace on 9 June 2016. The fund adapts its strategy according to current market conditions. In favourable market environments, the Aptus Behavioral Momentum ETF seeks to own stocks that are making, or near, new highs, while in difficult environments seeks to preserve capital by gaining exposure to treasury securities.

Germany-based index provider Solactive AG and global thematic funds specialist Sarasin & Partners have unveiled a suite of five new indices targeting smart beta equity exposure in the UK, Europe, the US, and globally. The Sarasin’s Systematic Efficient Approach Indices, designed to provide core building blocks for asset allocators, seek to outperform the market-cap over the medium-long term and across multiple market cycles by tilting exposure to three proven drivers of return: momentum, low volatility and size. Steffen Scheuble, CEO, Solactive, commented in a statement: “Solactive is happy to announce our cooperation with Sarasin & Partners on the calculation of indices that not only aim to outperform country markets but also employ a sophisticated and proven methodology – a methodology that is passionate about obtaining a sustainable profit in the mid-long term.”

Germany-based index provider Solactive, and BlueStar Global Investments, a research-focused firm specialising in the Israeli capital markets, have together launched BlueStar Israel Economic Exposure Indexes. The two indexes reflect the division in the Israeli economy between globally-orientated firms and companies primarily focused on serving the domestic economy. Both indexes have been designed to form the basis for future investment products such as exchange-traded funds. The Solactive-BlueStar Israel Domestic Exposure Index and Solactive-BlueStar Israel Global Exposure Index provide investors with two distinct benchmarks for Israeli equities. They may be used as indicators of Israel’s economic cycles and specific economic trends, as well as vehicles to track the potential risk of geopolitical events in the volatile Middle East.

Solactive, a Germany-based provider of financial market indices, has continued to provide innovative solutions for the socially responsible investment (SRI) space with the launch of a sustainable bond index. The Solactive Euro IG Sustainable Bond Index is designed for fixed-income investors seeking exposure to companies with strong sustainability profiles. Powered by ratings from Sustainalytics, a leading global analytics firm covering the environmental, social and governance (ESG) sector, the index has been designed to serve as the basis for future investable products such as exchange-traded funds.

Solactive, a Frankfurt-based provider of niche financial indices, has launched a low carbon fixed income index in collaboration with South Pole Group, a specialist project manager helping firms reduce their carbon footprints. The Solactive SPG Euro IG Low Carbon Bond Index tracks euro-denominated corporate bonds with investment grade status, and selects companies that are less dependent on fossil fuels relative to higher carbon-emitting peers.

Niche index provider Solactive, has unveiled a range of climate-themed investment strategies with the launch of the Solactive SPG Low Carbon Index Family, which includes a first of its kind smart beta tranche. The six indices have been created in collaboration with South Pole Group, a specialist in helping companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and utilise a screening process to exclude companies with relatively unfavourable carbon emission record. The indices have been produced with European-, eurozone-, or US-focused exposure. Each index is supplemented with an alternatively-weighted version, which assigns a greater importance to firms with higher dividends and lower volatility.