Asia Index has launched five new sized-based indices covering large-, mid-, and small-cap equities listed in India. The indices are available for product development including serving as the underlying for ETFs.

WisdomTree has cross-listed a further eight ETFs on the Mexican stock exchange, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV).

First Trust Portfolios Canada has introduced currency-hedged units for four of its US sector ETFs currently listed on Toronto Stock Exchange. The four ETFs in question provide exposure to Russell 1000 equities from the consumer staples, industrials, technology, and healthcare sectors using the AlphaDEX methodology as a stock selection overlay.

BNP Paribas has cross-listed two new equity ETFs on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra and Frankfurt exchanges, providing exposure to companies listed in the US and in emerging markets.

Invesco has announced that the PowerShares KBW Bank Portfolio ETF (KBWB US) has surpassed $1 billion in assets under management. Dan Draper, global head of ETFs at Invesco, commented: “Strong interest in KBWB is likely the result of market optimism toward stronger economic growth, corporate tax reform, and higher interest rates, which overall has created an improved outlook for banks.”

Aussie ETF provider BetaShares has launched the BetaShares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF (FAIR AU) on Australia Stock Exchange, providing exposure to local companies whose business activities are focused on sustainability.

Kuala Lumpur-based Affin Hwang Asset Management has launched the TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker (GOLDETF MK) on Bursa Malaysia Berhad, the first commodity-tracking ETF listed in Malaysia. 

First Trust Global Portfolios (FTGP) has launched euro- and pounds sterling-hedged share classes of the First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF (FTFX LN). Derek Fulton, CEO of FTGP, said, “These new hedged share classes allow euro and sterling denominated investors to access the strategy while controlling their exchange rate volatility against the fund’s USD base currency.”

Lyxor has listed the Lyxor $ Floating Rate Note CHF Monthly Hedged UCITS ETF (FLOTH SW) on SIX Swiss Exchange, providing currency-hedged exposure to dollar-denominated corporate debt that is protected from rising interest rates. Francois Millet, head of product line management, ETFs & indexing, at Lyxor said: “For us, it was important to create a simple, low-cost way for investors to access the US dollar-denominated floating rate note market. As a Luxembourg SICAV, this ETF will be attractive to investors right across Europe.”

Transaction fees, measured as a percentage of invested assets, has the potential to increase an ETF’s ongoing charge figure (OCF) by as much as 500%, according to a study by Fitz Partners. Hugues Gillibert, CEO of Fitz Partners, said: “The growth in smart beta ETFs is one of the reasons for the overall increase in trading costs for ETFs.”