The newly launched Global X SuperDividend US ETF (DIV) is the latest fund to be introduced by Global X Funds, a New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The NYSE Arca-listed fund combines two highly popular investment styles – high dividend and low volatility – by providing exposure to an equally-weighted portfolio of 50 high-income, low-beta equity securities traded in the United States.

SPDR ETFs, the exchange-traded funds platform of State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), is set to roll out a pair of ETFs designed to give Australian investors access to international equities. The funds, which will be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), are the SPDR S&P World ex-Australia (Hedged) ETF (WXHG) and the SPDR S&P World ex-Australia ETF (WXOZ).

The Market Vectors Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) has surpassed $1.5 billion in assets under management, adding more than $500 million in the last three months alone. When the fund was brought to market in July 2010 on the NYSE Arca, it was the first US-listed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with exposure to an index that tracks a basket of bonds issued in local currencies by emerging market governments.

UK investors are increasingly purchasing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) via fund wrap platforms, according to iShares, the world’s largest provider of ETFs. The provider, which is part of investment giant BlackRock, has revealed that assets under management invested in its products through fund platforms surged by 52% between the end of 2010 and the end of 2012. iShares’ products are available on a range of fund platforms including FundsNetwork, Ascentric, Elevate, Novia, Standard Life, Nucleus, Raymond James and Transact.

Risk specialists Axioma and index provider China Securities Index (CSI) are to collaborate on a new series of smart beta strategy indices on China’s A-share market. The indices, which will be distributed by CSI, will be based on the popular CSI 300 index.

The AEX Index has celebrated its 30th birthday. The index was introduced on 4 March 1983 and has become the most widely followed indicator of the Dutch stock market. The AEX is weighted by market capitalisation and reflects the performance of the 25 most actively traded shares listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, including names such as Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell, ING Groep and Philips. Long, short and leveraged ETFs based on the index are available from iShares, SPDR, Lyxor and Think Capital.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other exchange-traded products (ETPs) listed in Europe had net inflows of $1.3 billion in February 2013, according to research published by ETFGI, a London-based consultancy. ETFs and ETPs linked to equities gathered the largest net inflows with $1.5 billion, followed by fixed income with $403 million and active products with $380 million. Meanwhile commodity-linked products experienced net outflows of $1.15 billion. iShares gathered the largest net inflows, followed by db X-trackers/db ETC and Xact.

The first London-listed actively managed exchange-traded fund-of-funds, the db x-trackers SCM Multi Asset UCITS ETF (XS7M) from Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, has reached its one-year anniversary, registering solid risk-adjusted performance. The ETF, which provides exposure to a portfolio of exchange-traded products actively managed by SCM Private, a third-party asset manager co-founded by industry veteran Alan Miller, posted a return of 7.85% with annualised volatility of 7.84% in its debut year.

Highlighting the important role played by Authorised Participants (APs) in ensuring the liquidity of exchange-traded products (ETPs), London-based ETP providers Boost and Source have both recently added new APs to their ETP platforms. APs undertake the responsibility of creating and redeeming units in an ETP in the primary market.

Russell Indexes has downgraded Greece to emerging market status as part of its annual index reconstitution process. The decision by Russell results from a three-year market risk review process in which Greece did not meet macro- and operational risk criteria for developed market status, but did meet classification criteria for inclusion in emerging markets.