Archive for April 2013

Credit Suisse issues covered call strategy ETN on iShares Silver ETF

Apr 18th, 2013 | By
Credit Suisse expands ESG suite with global min vol ETF

Credit Suisse has added to its range of innovative exchange-traded notes (ETNs) with the launch of the Credit Suisse Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO), an ETN providing exposure to a covered call strategy on iShares Silver ETF (SLV). The new product, which is designed to pay out variable monthly coupons, is the second precious metals covered call strategy launched by Credit Suisse and follows the January launch of GLDI, an ETN tracking a similar strategy on gold.


iShares ETFs drive BlackRock’s quarterly earnings higher

Apr 16th, 2013 | By
iShares ETFs drive BlackRock’s quarterly earnings higher

BlackRock has reported first quarter 2013 earnings of $632 million, or $3.62 a share, up 15% from a year ago. Revenue increased 9% to $2,449 million from the first quarter 2012, reflecting growth in markets, long-dated net new business and higher performance fees. iShares, the firm’s exchange-traded funds (ETF) division, continued to contribute strongly to earnings, generating 35% of total base fee revenue – the highest share of any business division – despite representing only 22% of assets under management.


Inverse/short gold ETFs surge as precious metal goes into meltdown

Apr 15th, 2013 | By
Gold ETF outflows grind on in February

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and related exchange-traded products (ETPs) linked to the inverse performance of the gold price have surged over the past few weeks as the precious metal has tumbled following downgrades from a number of prominent research houses. One of the best performing ETPs in this space is the London-listed Boost Gold 3x Short Daily ETP (3GOS), which provides triple short exposure to the gold price. It is up 48.5% month-to-date on the back of the dramatic sell-off.


Rising US dividend payments augur well for high-dividend ETFs

Apr 13th, 2013 | By
Roundhill targets top US banks in first ‘BIG ETF’

Dividend payments from US-listed companies were up $14.5 billion during the first quarter of 2013, according to data from S&P Dow Jones Indices. The figure, which excludes special bonus dividends, suggests full-year dividend payments are on track to break the record set in 2012. The positive outlook for US dividends augurs well for dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). And with yields on equities surpassing those available on government bonds and bank deposits, high-dividend ETFs look set to enjoy continued strong inflows.


Evercore Pan-Asset’s ETF-focused model portfolios chime with investors

Apr 13th, 2013 | By
Charles Stanley acquires ETF specialist Evercore Pan Asset

Evercore Pan-Asset has celebrated the fourth anniversary of its model asset allocation portfolios. Launched in 2009, the London-based firm’s PanDynamic and bespoke model portfolio ranges, which exclusively use low-cost index trackers such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), have proven very popular, attracting nearly 2,000 investors and more than £300m in assets.


First Trust launches three AlphaDEX ETFs on LSE

Apr 11th, 2013 | By
First Trust rolls out European smart beta ETFs to Swiss Exchange

First Trust Advisors, a leading US provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has entered the European ETF market with the launch of three “AlphaDEX” UCITS ETFs on the London Stock Exchange. The provider’s initial three European-domiciled ETFs will focus on UK, US and emerging market equities. Further launches are expected over time. The launch marks the first time First Trust’s highly successful AlphaDEX smart beta strategy has been available as an investment product outside of the US.


DeAWM rolls out new Asia-focused ETFs in Hong Kong

Apr 11th, 2013 | By
Fubon launches Hang Seng H-Share ETF in Taiwan

Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (DeAWM), the investment management division of Deutsche Bank, has launched five new Asia-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Hong Kong. The launch includes the territory’s first ETFs to offer exposure to equity markets in Singapore, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The other two ETFs provide exposure to Philippines equities and Asian (excluding Japan) high-dividend-yielding stocks.


Markit introduces iBoxx US Non-Agency RMBS indices

Apr 11th, 2013 | By
Markit introduces iBoxx US Non-Agency RMBS indices

Markit, a leading provider of fixed income indices, has announced the launch of the Markit iBoxx US Non-Agency RMBS Indices, a family of cash bond indices based on a portfolio of US non-agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS). The new indices provide market participants with a means to assess the returns of the US non-agency RMBS market and are well suited for use a fund benchmarks and underlyings for index-linked products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs).


Direxion introduces triple leveraged Brazil and South Korea ETFs

Apr 11th, 2013 | By
The case for investing in Brazilian equity ETFs

Direxion, a leading US-based provider of alternative exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has launched two new leveraged equity ETFs on the NYSE Arca, the Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 3x Shares ETF (BRZU) and Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3x Shares ETF (KORU).


Alerian unveils new energy infrastructure and MLP indices

Apr 9th, 2013 | By
Alerian makes European debut with energy infrastructure ETF

Alerian, the index provider to the JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJ) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP), has unveiled two new indices tracking the North American energy infrastructure and Master Limited Partnership (MLP) sectors. The newly launched Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index and the Alerian MLP Equal Weight Index provide investors with new benchmarks encompassing a broader range of capitalisation, asset, and geographic exposure.