The VanEck Merk Gold Trust (NYSE Arca: OUNZ) has reduced the fees investors pay to take delivery of their gold. The fund gives investors access to buy and hold gold through an ETF with the option to take delivery of the gold in exchange for the fund’s shares. Axel Merk, president of Merk Investments, the sponsor of OUNZ, commented: “We are reaffirming our commitment to provide investors with easy and cost-effective access to their gold,”

Lyxor has added three new euro-denominated, accumulating share classes for ETFs listed on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges. The ETFs offer exposure to various market-capitalisation segments of the eurozone and European equity markets.

By Sam Dickens, assistant portfolio manager at IG.

If you are looking to invest in the stock market but also want to make a positive impact on environmental and social issues, then socially responsible investing may be for you. In this piece we take a look at six of the best ETFs that facilitate socially responsible investing.

Deutsche Asset Management has launched six US sector ETFs on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges. The funds track indices created by MSCI and provide exposure to the energy, financials, health care, information technology, consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors of the US economy.

Gold ETFs look set to continue their recent bull run as, according to a report issued by the World Gold Council, the spot price of the precious metal is likely to be supported in the near term as growing uncertainty moves investors into safe-haven assets such as gold.

After registering dynamic growth in the first half of the year, demand for Europe-listed ETFs slowed considerably in August, according to Morningstar’s monthly ETF asset flows analysis.

The Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) from New York-based provider Global X has celebrated its one-year anniversary while surpassing $450 million in assets under management. Jay Jacobs, director of research at Global X, said, “We brought BOTZ to market to offer investors an efficient tool to access this technological revolution, and we’re pleased to see that the market has been receptive.”

By Jodie Gunzberg, head of commodities indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Industrial metals hit multi-year highs last month with the S&P GSCI Industrial Metals Index up off its bottom by nearly 60%. This was mainly due to strong Chinese demand growth and a falling US dollar. While the dollar has continued its fall in September, there is some concern over slowing growth in China.

ETF Securities has listed the ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ROBO) on the Australian Stock Exchange, providing exposure to one of the fastest growing themes within the global technology segment.

The Barron’s 400 ETF (NYSE Arca: BFOR), a smart beta exchange-traded fund that tracks the Barron’s 400 Index, has significantly increased its exposure to the energy and consumer staples sectors of the US economy following the semi-annual reconstitution and rebalance of its underlying index. Carlos Diez, CEO and founder of MarketGrader, commented: “Energy experienced the most significant resurgence in the number of members and as a proportion of the index’s portfolio that it has in years. This indicates that profits within the sector may be rebounding.”