Janus Capital has launched the Janus SG Global Quality Income ETF (Nasdaq: SGQI), a smart beta fund designed to track the performance of global quality companies with attractive and sustainable dividends. Nick Cherney, Senior VP and Head of ETPs for Janus, commented: “We are committed to helping build portfolios which have the potential to outperform or reduce risk relative to market cap weighted alternatives. When it comes to the search for yield, finding quality income should be a key component.”

FTSE Russell and Research Affiliates have launched two new ESG-themed smart beta index families: the FTSE4Good RAFI Indices, composed of FTSE RAFI Index constituents meeting minimum ESG-related requirements, and the FTSE RAFI ex Fossil Fuels Indices, which excludes firms with revenues derived from fossil fuels. Constituents are weighted according to four fundamental measures of company value: book value, cash flow, sales and dividends. The indices are suitable to act as underlying references for ETFs.

CSOP Asset Management (CSOP) has launched the CSOP S&P China Sectors ETF on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, offering investors access to the country’s new growth sectors as China transitions from an investment-led to a consumption-led economy. The fund tracks the S&P New China Sectors Index which mimics the performance of the “new economy” spanning new technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors. The index has outperformed the broad-based HSCEI and MSCI China Index by 54% and 40% respectively since its inception at the end of October 2016.

Deutsche Asset Management has launched the db x-trackers II iBoxx $ Treasuries UCITS ETF (Xetra: XUTE), tracking the performance of US Treasury securities with a minimum of one year to maturity and an outstanding amount of at least $1bn, while mitigating the risk of adverse currency movements between the US dollar and the euro.

BNP Paribas has launched two new exchange-traded commodities, on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges tracking the price performance of gold and palladium. The BNPP Gold ETC (BNQJ) and the BNPP Palladium ETC (BNQL) are based on the cash price in US dollars for a troy ounce of their underlying precious metal. Each ETC has a total expense ratio of 0.99%.

Vanguard has expanded its range of European-listed UCITS exchange-traded funds with the launch of the Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF (LON: VDET). Tracking the Bloomberg Barclays USD Emerging Markets Sovereign and Quasi Sovereign Index, the fund offers regional exposure to US dollar denominated debt issued by governments in the emerging markets. Charging total fees of only 0.25%, it is the most competitively priced ETF in its peer group, according to Bloomberg.

Deutsche Asset Management has launched the Deutsche X-trackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE: HYLB). At a total expense ratio of just 0.25%, the fund is the cheapest high-yield ETF in the US market. Fiona Bassett, Head of Passive in the Americas for Deutsche Asset Management, commented: “For investors seeking pure high-yield beta exposure as part of their diversification strategy in their overall asset allocation, they can now do so in a fast and cost-effective way.”

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of its flagship FTSE4Good Index Series, FTSE Russell has launched the FTSE4Good Emerging Markets Index and FTSE4Good Latin America Index, tracking the performance of firms meeting specific thresholds in relation to ESG practices. Mark Makepeace, CEO, FTSE Russell, commented: “The investment landscape has changed beyond recognition and sustainable investing, climate risk, the transition to a low carbon economy, and ESG integration are now a core focus for our clients”.

Invesco PowerShares has launched two new ETFs tracking international developed and US small-cap stocks while tilting their portfolios towards greater exposure to high dividend and low volatility characteristics, two proven long-term drivers of outperformance. Dan Draper, Global Head of PowerShares by Invesco, commented: “Combining high dividend and low volatility factors in our two newest ETFs may also provide investors with more defensive access to equity income in the face of uncertain markets.”

By Nizam Hamid, ETF Strategist at WisdomTree

The recent sharp moves in Sterling – predominantly the weakness that we’ve seen since Brexit – has been beneficial for UK investors holding overseas assets. The declines have been particularly sharp against the US dollar, and, at its lowest point in mid-October it had fallen 18.5%. Sterling’s decline, combined with the strength of overseas equities markets, created a very positive return environment for many investors. This article outlines some of the benefits of currency hedging and how one might take advantage of Sterling’s recent weakness and rising overseas equity markets.