S&P Dow Jones and MSCI have launched their latest consultation on proposed changes to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), with potential ramifications for ETF investors.

Columbia Threadneedle has launched the Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND US), a new multi-sector fixed income fund listed on NYSE Arca that seeks to balance and enhance yield, quality, and liquidity compared to traditional short-duration bond products.

Morningstar has agreed to acquire Moorgate Benchmarks, a privately held indexing specialist based in Europe, in a move that aims to enhance the investment research firm’s direct indexing capabilities.

BlackRock has launched the iShares Core MSCI Australia ESG Leaders ETF (IESG AU) on the Australian Securities Exchange, providing low-cost exposure to Australian equities with robust environmental, social, and governance credentials.

ChinaAMC has finalized the acquisition of BMO’s Hong Kong-listed ETFs following the Canadian asset manager’s decision to pull out of the city’s ETF market.

Vanguard has introduced its first ESG-considered fixed income ETF in Europe with the launch of the Vanguard ESG Global Corporate Bond UCITS ETF.

By Shaheen Contractor, ESG Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence.

ESG ETF assets hit $218bn last year as the number of funds grew and asset managers launched new funds to capitalize on the growth in the market. However, even though ESG factors have become a major influence in the market, it is still difficult for investors to understand what exactly ESG ETFs offer.

The Investment Association (IA), the trade body that represents the UK’s fund management industry, has added ETFs to its fund sectors for the first time.

Vanguard has introduced its first actively managed fixed income ETF with the launch of a low-cost, ultrashort duration bond strategy in the US.

State Street Global Advisors has launched a new fixed income ETF providing exposure to US dollar-denominated bonds from emerging market issuers.