UBS Asset Management has introduced a new Japanese yen-hedged share class for the UBS MSCI ACWI ESG Universal UCITS ETF on SIX Swiss Exchange, providing JPY-referenced investors currency-hedged exposure to global stocks with high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

Markov Processes International (MPI) has launched MPI Hedge Fund Indices, a new business line providing investable indices for the hedge fund universe. Each index has two components: the first involves a sub-set of targeted hedge funds, while the second aims to track the first using ETFs, Rohtas Handa, head of institutional solutions at MPI, commented, “We are combining our experience with our patented dynamic factor model to build better benchmarks for hedge fund performance.”

BlackRock has introduced 15 new trading lines for iShares products on SIX Swiss Exchange, comprising equity and fixed income exposures. The new listings – a mix of accumulating, distributing and currency-hedged share classes – expand the range of tools available for Switzerland-based investors.

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.

UBS has extended its currency-hedged product suite with the introduction of pound sterling-hedged share classes on a pair of commodity ETFs. They are the UBS CMCI ex-Agriculture SF UCITS (hedged to GBP) ETF (CCXAG SW) and the UBS Bloomberg Commodity CMCI SF UCITS (hedged to GBP) ETF (BCCMG SW).

UBS Global Asset Management has introduced an accumulating share class for its UBS MSCI World Socially Responsible UCITS ETF on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges.

UBS has introduced income-accumulating share classes for five of its fixed income ETFs on SIX Swiss Exchange. The funds, which track Bloomberg Barclays indices and offer a variety of exposures, including to US Treasuries, US corporates, and EM sovereigns, complement the existing income-distributing shares.

UBS Investment Bank has launched the InsightShares Patriotic Employers ETF (HONR US) on NYSE Arca, providing exposure to US-listed companies that demonstrate strong support for US military veterans through post-service employment opportunities.

Commerzbank has cross-listed the ComStage CBK Commodity ex-Agri Monthly EUR Hedged UCITS ETF (CBACOM SW) on Zurich’s SIX Swiss Exchange, providing exposure to a basket of commodity futures excluding agriculture.