Tradeweb has launched an electronic marketplace for trading European-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through its regulated multilateral trading facility. Tradeweb said its multi-dealer-to-customer platform had been built to provide clients with greater efficiency and more competitive pricing for larger-sized over-the-counter ETF trades. The launch reflects growing competition among rival trading locations to attract ETF trade flows, as assets under management in the industry continue to boom.

Source, a leading provider of exchange-traded products (ETP), captured 24% of European net new ETP assets in September 2012, the highest share of assets of any European manager, as inflows into its flagship physical gold product surged. However, while the provider is perhaps best known for its gold and commodities products, which continue to bring in assets and are the firm’s ‘bread and butter’, its entire product range has proved popular with investors.

iShares has announced the launch of the iShares Barclays Capital Euro Corporate Bond Interest Rate Hedged ETF (IRCP), the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) to offer physical corporate bond exposure with mitigated interest rate risk. With government bond yields at historic lows and investors increasingly seeking out extra income by investing in corporate bonds, this product will likely appeal to those investors who want to obtain that extra yield but are concerned about the potential for rising interest rates.

S&P Dow Jones Indices has announced the launch of the S&P SMIT 40 Index, an index designed to measure the performance of 40 leading companies from four emerging markets: South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey (“SMITs”). Interest in the SMITs has grown as a consequence of a period of strong stock market performance, during which returns of the SMIT countries have surpassed those of the BRICs.

iShares, the world’s largest manager of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has published new research examining how European investment professionals are approaching the question of whether and how to blend active management and indexing. The study found that most investors share the view that the blending of active management and index products, such as ETFs, will continue to grow and it is no longer a question of ‘active versus passive’.

MTS Indices, a leading provider of European bond indices, has licensed its MTS France and MTS Italy Government Bond 1-3 year Indices to Lyxor to underlie two new sovereign bond ETFs. The indices track the performance of all MTS-listed sovereign debt instruments issued by the French and Italian governments that have more than €2 billion outstanding and a maturity of between one and three years.

Borsa Italiana, Italy’s main stock exchange and part of the London Stock Exchange Group, has celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its first exchange-traded fund (ETF) listing. From just eight ETFs in 2002 with €500 million in assets under management, the Milan-based exchange has grown to over 600 ETFs today with assets of around €18 billion.

S&P Dow Jones Indices has announced the launch of the S&P Global Resources Select Equal Weighted Index, a new thematic index designed to provide investors with broad, diversified exposure across a spectrum of commodities producers. The index is comprised of 100 of the largest publicly traded commodities and natural resources companies in five key markets: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, UK and US.

Ossiam, the smart beta specialist and affiliate of Natixis Global Asset Management, has added to its suite of low-volatility exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the launch of the Ossiam ETF World Minimum Variance NR (OSXA). The new fund applies the firm’s proprietary minimum variance strategy to a global developed equity universe, delivering exposure to the world economy with reduced volatility. The fund will be listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris, Borsa Italiana, Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange.

Lyxor has listed a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the NYSE Euronext that aims to deliver bond-like features along with equity-like performance. The Lyxor ETF SG Quality Income is based on Societe Generale’s Quality Income Strategy Index and provides global equity exposure to high-quality companies that offer above-average and sustainable dividend yields. The fund is likely to appeal to investors looking for lower-risk income and capital appreciation, and could offer an ideal alternative to high-yield or corporate bonds.