ETFs linked to broad commodity benchmarks, such as the Bloomberg Commodity Index and S&P GSCI, are set for a shake-up as these indices conduct their first annual reviews since the Covid-19 pandemic upended many commodity markets.

Amundi has expanded its line-up of socially responsible ETFs with the introduction of a Japanese equity strategy.

Investors in a $925m ETF tracking the S&P 500 have been compelled to adopt an ESG approach or redeem from the fund following a decision by Amundi to change its underlying index.

UBS Asset Management has announced that its UBS S&P 500 ESG UCITS ETF (S5SD LN), has touched $1 billion in assets under management.

UBS has introduced a new currency-hedged share class for its ETF tracking euro area corporate bonds issued by firms with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) characteristics.

UBS has launched a suite of options-strategy-based ETFs offering a defensive play on equity markets.

DWS has launched new physically backed, Irish-domiciled exchange-traded commodities in Europe providing exposure to movements in the spot price of gold and platinum. The newly launched Xtrackers IE Physical Gold ETC and Xtrackers IE Physical Platinum ETC have listed on London Stock Exchange and Xetra, and come with competitive fees of 0.18% and 0.38% respectively. The ETCs are 100% backed by LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) physical metal bars stored in secure London vaults.

Invesco has expanded its suite of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ETFs in Europe with the launch of the Invesco S&P 500 ESG UCITS ETF (SPXE LN) on the London Stock Exchange. The fund provides risk and return characteristics similar to that of the bellwether S&P 500 Index but with a significantly improved ESG profile. Gary Buxton, Head of EMEA ETFs at Invesco, commented, “As ESG becomes more mainstream, we believe that finding appropriate solutions is going to be increasingly relevant, for example for trustees and other investors who have a fiduciary responsibility for delivering performance.”

UBS Asset Management has launched a new ETF offering access to China’s onshore equity market. The UBS ETF (IE) MSCI China A SF UCITS ETF has listed on SIX Swiss Exchange, LSE and Xetra, and provides exposure to the MSCI China A Index of Mainland China, renminbi-traded large- and mid-cap companies. Andrew Walsh, Head of ETF & Passive Specialists – UK & Ireland, UBS Asset Management, commented, “China’s significant role in the global economy means allocations to the country are no longer a niche investing approach. Given its weight, we believe China should be treated as a standalone allocation of its own. “

China specialists KraneShares has announced the launch of the KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders UCITS ETF (KESG LN) on the London Stock Exchange. The fund, which is the issuer’s third UCITS ETF, is linked to the MSCI China ESG Leaders 10/40 Index, providing exposure to large and mid-cap companies domiciled in China with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings relative to their sector peers. Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares, said they were seeing “a lot of investor demand” for a China-focused ESG UCITS ETF.