The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has again rejected the Winklevoss twins’ application to list a bitcoin-backed ETF, citing ongoing concerns over market manipulation.
Amplify ETFs has announced its flagship fund, the Nasdaq-listed Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY US), has reached $500m in assets under management since its launch in April 2016. Christian Magoon, founder and CEO of Amplify ETFs, said, “We knew when we launched IBUY in April 2016 it had potential to be disruptive. Now with more than $500 million in assets and positive performance we feel investors have affirmed IBUY’s position as a bellwether ETF for the evolving retail sector.”
ProShares has launched the ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN US), enabling investors to participate in the continued upside of the online retail theme. Listed on NYSE Arca, the passively managed ETF invests in companies principally selling online or through other non-physical channels, such as mobile or app. “Rather than investing in an individual company, investors can now get exposure to Amazon, Alibaba and other global leaders in online retail with a single ticker: ONLN,” said Michael Sapir, co-founder and CEO of ProShare Advisors.
Assets invested in ETFs and ETPs listed globally have returned back above the $5 trillion mark, as of 31 May 2018, according to ETF industry consultant ETFGI.
VanEck has partnered with blockchain company SolidX to propose a physically backed bitcoin ETF that would be insured against loss or theft of bitcoin. The two companies filed a joint request with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval of the fund, which is currently under review.
ProShares has launched the ProShares S&P 500 Bond ETF (SPXB US) on NYSE Arca, providing exposure to investment-grade corporate bonds issued by members of the blue-chip S&P 500 equity index. Michael Sapir, co-founder and CEO of ProShare Advisors, the advisor to ProShares, commented, “The S&P 500 served as the basis for the first ETF over 25 years ago. Today’s launch of a bond ETF tied to the S&P 500 is another important moment in the evolution of ETFs.”
Cboe Vest, the asset management arm of exchange operator Cboe Global Markets, has launched the Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG US), combining a well-recognised dividend growth strategy with a dynamic covered-call options overlay.
ETFs and ETPs gathered $12.4 billion globally in net inflows during February, the lowest monthly amount since May 2016 when net inflows were $10.5bn, according to ETFGI. The relatively subdued flows are a far cry from January – a bumper month for the industry – when ETFs experienced their highest monthly net inflows on record, pulling in $100.6bn.
ProShares has reduced the degree of exposure underlying its two VIX-related ETFs following rapid, large swings in the products’ values during the equity market sell-off in early February.
This week’s spike in US equity market volatility led to the temporary suspension of trading in three US-listed inverse VIX exchange-traded products and the decision from Credit Suisse to close its VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term ETN (XIV).