Frankfurt-based index provider Solactive has launched the Solactive Emerging Markets Consumer Technology Index, providing exposure to the growing role of internet technology and e-commerce in emerging markets. The index will underlie a new ETF launched by KraneShares on the NYSE Arca.
ETFGI, an ETF industry consultancy, has reported that fixed income ETFs listed in Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) have proved significantly more popular with investors than equity ETFs during September. ETFs that track bonds have gained $835 million during the month compared to outflows of $1.0 billion seen by equity ETFs listed in the region.
By Jesper Koll, head of Japan at WisdomTree.
In the world of politics and policy making, Japan has become the envy of the world. The snap election got “Team Abe” re-elected with a strong majority and they will be controlling parliament with basically the same two-thirds super majority they had before. Stability, continuity and consistency of a strong pro-growth and pro-business agenda is poised to be rewarded with a growing “Japan Premium” in financial markets.
By Richard Turnill, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock.
China’s growth is set to cool in 2018 after a surprisingly strong year while economic risks are rising, thinks Richard Turnill, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock.
By Jesper Koll, WisdomTree’s head of Japan.
Japan’s upcoming election is poised to usher in a new era of policy competition and political accountability. Structural reform in general, supply-side reform in particular, is poised to accelerate.
KraneShares has launched the KraneShares MSCI China Environment ETF (NYSE Arca: KGRN). The ETF provides exposure to companies in China’s fast-growing environmental protection industry that has rapidly grown to be the largest renewable energy market in the world.
Singapore Exchange (SGX) and FactSet have launched a series of co-branded indices, designed to provide investors with exposure to regional and global themes including robotics, cybersecurity, and healthcare. The indices are likely to attract attention from ETF product developers, given the growing demand for thematic products – according to ETFGI, there were 447 thematic ETFs as of the end of 2016, up from 183 in 2012.
Lion Global Investors and Phillip Capital Management, two Singapore-based asset managers, have teamed up to launch the first ETF to focus entirely on Singapore real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF will trade on the Singapore Exchange and will track the Morningstar Singapore REIT Yield Focus Index.
MSCI has announced the launch of a new range of indices, the MSCI Factor ESG Target Index Series, designed to provide exposure to target factors while integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) stock selection filters. Diana Tidd, head of index at MSCI, commented: “MSCI is seen as a thought leader in ESG and factor investing, and this new suite of indexes helps our clients integrate ESG while still focusing on the benefits of Factor Investing.”
FTSE Russell has declined to follow fellow index provider MSCI by deciding not to include China A-Shares in the emerging markets classification of the FTSE Global Equity Index Series. The London-headquartered index provider said China A-Shares would remain on the watch list for possible future inclusion. Saudi Arabia has also been made wait, though FTSE Russell said the country was close to upgrade and will be assessed again in March 2018.