FTSE Russell, a leading index provider to the exchange-traded funds industry, has announced changes to the FTSE 100 Index, the principal reference for the largest stocks listed in the United Kingdom. Through a rules-based process, this quarter’s review has determined that three firms currently constituting the index will be replaced. The move is set to prompt significant buying and selling activity amongst a wide range of ETFs that currently track the prestigious index.

Latest statistics from London-based exchange-traded fund consultancy ETFGI show that the European exchange-traded product market continues to display strong growth, with net new assets, as of 30 September 2015, reaching $61.6bn year-to-date (YTD). This number is just shy of the full year record of $61.8bn recorded in 2014. Despite global volatility levels remaining high during September, $2bn was added in net new assets under management (AUM).

UBS Global Asset Management, a leading European exchange-traded fund issuer, has rolled out a suite of smart beta equity ETFs that allow investors to target specific factor exposures within the eurozone and the US. “The new UBS factor ETFs complement many portfolios well within the strategic asset allocation and contribute to improved diversification,” said Dag Rodewald, Head of UBS ETFs for Germany and Austria. “They can also be used tactically, as the form of the factor premiums does not remain constant over time. Our range of ETFs on various factors and for two of the world’s most important economic regions provides investors with the greatest possible flexibility.”

There has been a significant increase in interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) exposures this year, according to index provider MSCI, with exchange-traded funds linked to such indices seeing a surge in demand. Baer Pettit, Managing Director and Global Head of Products at MSCI, said: “We’re actively addressing the challenges of integrating ESG factors into benchmarks, whether to meet the needs of investors who believe ESG data can enhance investment decisions or those who simply want to align their portfolios with their values.”

The SIX Swiss Exchange has reached the 15-year milestone of hosting exchange-traded funds, having listed its first ETF back in September 2000. Commenting on the landmark, Alain Picard, Head Product Management at SIX Swiss Exchange, said: “We are proud of reaching this milestone, and we would like to thank our clients and partners for the good collaboration”. The success of exchange’s ETF segment is reflected across a range of data points, including trading turnover, the number of issuers and individual products, the range of authorised participants and market makers, the breadth of asset classes available and assets under management.

UBS, a leading European exchange-traded fund issuer, has announced the launch of an ethical US corporate bond ETF on the London Stock Exchange. The fund is linked to the Barclays MSCI US Liquid Corporates Sustainable TR Index, which tracks the performance of bonds issued by US corporates that adhere to strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Andrew Walsh, head of UBS ETF Sales UK & Ireland, commented: “Demand for ethical investments continues to grow not only in the equities space, but also in fixed income. Our new ETF listing is a reflection of meeting clients’ needs for an easy to access US corporate bond product that tracks an index which screens for companies which have strong ESG profiles.”

Against the backdrop of a global equity market sell-off, equity exchange-traded funds and products still managed to see positive net asset flows, with $2.4bn of new money flowing in during August, according to data from ETFGI. Short and leveraged ETPs also had a stellar month, with $7.5bn of net inflows. Globally, ETFs and ETPs gathered $20.8bn during August, marking their nineteenth consecutive month of positive net inflows, and year-to-date net inflows remain on pace to beat the record levels set in 2014. So far this year $219.7bn in net new assets have made their way into this fast-growing product segment, a 16% increase over the first eight months of 2014.

Despite the risk-off nature of markets in August, European listed exchange-traded funds and exchange traded products gathered $11.5 billion in net new assets during the month, with positive flows seen across fixed income, equity and commodity products. The figures, supplied by ETF industry consultants ETFGI, highlight the structural shift to ETFs and ETPs which continues in the face of volatile markets.

UBS has expanded its suite of socially responsible ETFs with the launch of the UBS ETF – MSCI Japan Socially Responsible ETF. The new ETF provides exposure to Japanese companies that meet strict environmental, social and governance criteria. “Investors are increasingly looking to access companies whose business activities are in harmony with social values and whose approach to managing environmental, social and corporate governance risks is first-rate”, said Andrew Walsh, Head of UBS ETF Sales UK & Ireland. “It follows that deciding to invest in a sustainable way isn’t about following a trend. On the contrary, the investment decision is primarily about striving for values and sustainability.”

The London Stock Exchange has released their latest monthly report outlining trading and listings activity in exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products. The report yet again highlights the continued growth in the industry and the LSE’s status as one of the leading centres for ETFs. Lida Eslami, Listed Products Manager, London Stock Exchange, said: “This month’s activity is testament to London’s continuing status as the leading European destination for ETF issuers and investors. We are delighted so far this year to have welcomed 122 new exchange-traded products to our market, already surpassing the total number of listings for the whole of last year.”